Travel Insurance for Conjunctivitis

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, which many people know as pink eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva. That’s the thin, clear layer covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It makes the eye look red or pink, and it can feel gritty, itchy or burning, with a watery or sticky discharge. It’s one of the most familiar eye complaints, and it can affect one eye or both.

Most cases are caused by a virus or bacteria and spread easily, although allergies to things like pollen or dust can also bring it on. Infective conjunctivitis usually clears up within a couple of weeks, often without treatment, and a pharmacist can advise on what helps. The NHS conjunctivitis page covers when you should see a GP.

Why do I need to declare conjunctivitis for travel insurance?

Conjunctivitis usually clears within a week or two, but if you have it now, are still using drops for it, or it keeps coming back and you’re under review, it may count as a pre-existing medical condition. We ask because an eye infection that flares abroad can need a doctor, and some forms are linked to wider problems with the cornea or immune system. If it should have been declared and wasn’t, a related claim could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with conjunctivitis?

For most people, conjunctivitis is a short illness, not a long-term condition, so once it has cleared it often won’t stand in the way of cover. Allergic conjunctivitis that flares every hay fever season is usually seen as minor, but answer the questions as they’re asked. Conjunctivitis linked to another condition, such as an autoimmune disease or a problem with the cornea, is a different matter, and the underlying condition will go through screening as well.

What we’ll ask about your conjunctivitis

Our online screening is easy to follow. It may ask a few questions about your conjunctivitis, such as whether it’s a one-off or keeps coming back, and the treatment you’ve had. When you’ve declared this condition, carry on with any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Finishing the medical declaration takes you through to the quote page. Provided your conjunctivitis and your other declared conditions can be covered, you’ll be presented with a list of quotes. The premium you see already includes cover for your medical, and if we cannot provide cover, you’ll know before going ahead.

If your health changes before travelling

Eye infections can return at awkward moments. If the infection comes back, your treatment changes, you visit hospital, or you’re referred to a specialist between now and departure, you must let us know. We may need to review your cover or refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and occasionally we may not be able to proceed with cover. Any change in your medical you don’t tell us about could mean a future claim is affected or denied.

What can conjunctivitis travel insurance cover?

Picking up conjunctivitis for the first time while you’re away, from a swimming pool in Tenerife say, would normally count as a new illness rather than a pre-existing one. In that case the medical section of your policy can cover seeing a local doctor and any treatment you need, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess. A small claim like this can come to less than your excess, so keep the receipts and weigh it up before claiming.

Where conjunctivitis has been declared and accepted, emergency treatment for a related problem abroad can be covered in the same way. And if a bad case before departure means a doctor advises you not to travel, cancellation cover may help you recover non-refundable costs.

Insurance doesn’t cover routine or planned eye treatment abroad, or claims arising from a condition you should have declared but didn’t.

Will conjunctivitis affect the cost of travel insurance?

Conjunctivitis could have some bearing on cost, and your screening result is what determines it. If you complete online medical screening, it may ask how the infection is being treated and whether it is under control or keeps returning. Age, the place you’re visiting and how long the trip lasts are considered too. The cost is shown to you before any purchase.

Single trip or annual cover with conjunctivitis

For one holiday, single trip cover is all you need. If you travel a few times a year, annual multi-trip cover is worth comparing. Annual cover depends on your screening result if conjunctivitis needs declaring.

Travelling with conjunctivitis: practical tips

These are general suggestions for looking after your eyes on holiday and aren’t part of any cover.

If you wear contact lenses, leave them out until the infection has completely gone, and throw away any lenses you were wearing when it started. Packing your glasses as a back-up on every trip is a good habit anyway. Lens wearers who get a very painful eye, sensitivity to light or blurred vision should get seen urgently, as this can be something more serious than conjunctivitis.

Infective conjunctivitis passes easily between people, which is worth thinking about when you’re sharing a hotel room or a car. Wash your hands after touching your eyes, use your own towel and pillow, and don’t share make-up or eye drops. Chlorinated pools can irritate an eye that’s already sore, so it may be better to sit out the swimming for a few days.

Allergic conjunctivitis can catch people out abroad, where pollen seasons can be different from home. Antihistamine eye drops from a UK pharmacy are easy to pack, and wraparound sunglasses help keep pollen and dust off your eyes. Air conditioning on planes and in hotels can dry the eyes, so lubricating drops are useful too.

1. pack any prescribed drops in your hand luggage, and follow the storage instructions on the box
2. bin opened drops after the time stated on the label
3. bathe sticky eyelids with cooled boiled water or sterile wipes, not tap water from an unfamiliar supply
4. find a local pharmacy or doctor if your eye gets worse or your vision changes

If you also suffer from sinusitis or have cataracts, those are covered on their own pages.

How to get a quote

Fill in your trip details and answer the health questions, including anything about your eyes, then choose the cover that suits you. You’ll see the cost up front.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Eye,Ear,Nose,Throat Pages

• Burst or Perforated Eardrum Travel Insurance
• Cataracts Travel Insurance
• Conjunctivitis Travel Insurance
• Ear Infection Travel Insurance
• Meniere's Disease Travel Insurance
• Retinopathy Travel Insurance
• Sinusitis Travel Insurance
• Tinnitus Travel Insurance
• Tonsillitis Travel Insurance
• Vertigo Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.