Infective conjunctivitis is contagious and can be passed on if in close contact with others; even rubbing the eyes and then touching objects such as a door handle or telephone could transmit the infection. Therefore adherence to strict hygiene measures such as washing hands frequently and not sharing bedding, pillows or towels, will help to avoid passing on the infection. Staying healthy by getting plenty of sleep and eating a balanced diet can help the body's immune system to fight infection.

Identifying the source of an allergy will be critical for those with allergic conjunctivitis and although allergen avoidance is tricky, some measures can be taken. For example, if carrying out DIY or cleaning, wearing safety glasses is sensible to avoid dust or dirt getting into the eye.

Customers with a pollen allergy can be advised to take some of the following actions:

• Wear wraparound sunglasses whilst outside.
• Avoid drying clothes outside as the pollen may stick to the washing.
• Wash bedding frequently.
• Avoid driving with the windows open.
• Change clothing after being outside.
• Avoid cigarette smoke as breathing in smoke can make hay-fever symptoms worse as it can irritate the eyes.
• Vacuum and damp dust regularly to stop pollen or dust mite spreading around the house.

Contact lens wearers - having a good cleaning and hygiene routine when wearing contact lenses is important to reduce the risk of infections. The cleaning routine a customer uses will depend on the type of lens they use. Daily disposable lenses do not require any cleaning and have a reduced risk of infection as they are only used once, however lenses that are used for longer periods must be cleaned after use and stored in suitable contact lens solution overnight. Cleaning a lens involves putting it in the palm of the hand and covering it with cleaning solution and gently rubbing the lens for thirty seconds to remove any grit or dirt.

Good hygiene - such as thoroughly washing and rinsing your hands with anti-bacterial soap before handling lenses, is equally important to prevent irritation and infection. It is also important to advise contact lens wearers to avoid storing or cleaning their contact lenses with water to reduce the risk of acanthamoeba infection.

Use of cosmetics - where conjunctivitis may be caused by cosmetics, symptoms should clear completely before trying an alternative cosmetic product. As an example, mascara should be changed every three months on hygiene grounds and especially after any eye infection. However, for those with an allergic reaction it may be necessary to change the brand or type of eye make-up.