Doctors are giving too many antibiotics for pink eye in children, and it's becoming a problem.

Many kids with pink eye are getting antibiotics, even though doctors are not supposed to give them out so easily. Most pink eye cases are caused by viruses, and antibiotics don't work on viruses.

Pink eye usually goes away on its own, even when it's caused by bacteria. Doctors say using a cold towel and fake tears is often enough to help a child feel better.

Researchers looked at information from many doctor visits and found that most kids with pink eye got antibiotics. They found that kids got better even without antibiotics, so maybe they are not always needed.

Eye doctors gave out antibiotics less often than regular doctors or emergency room doctors. Eye doctors have special tools to see what's causing the pink eye and can choose the right treatment.

It's understandable that parents worry when their child's eye is red and swollen, but antibiotics are not always the answer. There are other ways to help kids feel better without using medicine that might not be necessary.