What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is a contagious infection of the eye caused by viruses  or bacteria. Eye irritation may also be caused by allergies.

The white of the eye turns pink or red.

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

Children with viral conjunctivitis usually have watery, itchy, and  red eyes. This is annoying but harmless and will go away over the course  of a week.

Bacterial conjunctivitis often is more painful with a yellow, milky  discharge from the eye. The eyelashes may become stuck together because  of the milky discharge. This condition requires treatment with  antibiotics to avoid a more severe infection.

Children with allergic conjunctivitis usually have watery, itchy, and  red eyes associated with a runny nose or other allergy symptoms such as  sneezing. This is an annoying but harmless condition.

Home care

Do not share towels or eye droppers with other family members.

Wipe eyes gently from the inside corner to the outside, using a moist cloth or fresh tissue for each eye.

Placing a cool, moist facecloth to your child’s eyes several times a day may make the eyes feel better.

If our office has prescribed an antibiotic ointment, use as directed.

• Wash your hands before and after giving the medicine.

• Pull the lower lid down gently with one finger and hold the tube close to the lower lid.

• Put the drops or ointment in a thin strip in the lower lid making sure that the tube does not touch the eye.

• Ask your child to blink gently.

• Put the medication in the other eye as well, even if it doesn’t appear to be affected.

• Do not share this eye medication with other family members.

Prevention

Keep your child from rubbing her eyes. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are contagious.

Make sure that your child washes her hands frequently, especially upon returning home or before eating.

Warning signs – Call our office for advice if:

Your child has a yellow, green, or milky discharge from her eyes, Call Our Office Now.

Your child’s eyes are painful or swollen, Call Our Office Now.

Your child complains of pain with eye movement or has difficulty moving her eyes, Call Our Office Now.

Your child has not improved in 2-3 days, Call Our Office Now.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms, Call Our Office Now.