Eye Infection

Pink Eye or Red Eye Conjunctivitis

The most common conjunctivitis eye infection found among children is known as Pink eye or Red eye.It is not a serious infection. It is the inflammation of the transparent membrane known as conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eyes and the inner lining of the eyelids. Babies and young children are mostly affected by conjunctivitis, though it may affect adults too. When your child has this infection, the white of his eye and the inner lining of the eyelids become red.

Conjunctivitis may be an infection caused by bacteria or virus, or may be an allergic reaction or a condition caused due to some irritation in the eye. If it is a bacterial infection, it causes redness in one or both eyes, accompanied by a thick yellow discharge. This causes the eyelids to stick together when the child tries to open his eyes in the morning. In case it is a viral infection, the same redness is caused in one or both eyes, but the discharge from the eyes is just watery or cloudy. Bacterial infection is treated with antibiotic eye drops, while a viral infection needs no medication and the virus has to run its course. Tearing and discharge are the body’s ways to heal the eyes from the infected condition. If the infection is by a virus, it may produce symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections like a runny nose and cough. The red or pink eye caused by bacteria or virus is highly contagious, but those which are a kind of irritation or an allergic reaction are not contagious. Whether your child’s eye infection is caused by bacteria or virus can be confirmed only after being checked by an ophthalmologist.

Causes

New born babies have chances of being exposed to bacteria or virus, during their passage through the birth canal during delivery. The bacteria or virus pass from the birth canal into the baby's eyes causing pink eye. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment is given to babies immediately after birth, to prevent infection and damage to his vision. Conjunctivitis may also be caused if the baby is born with a narrow or blocked tear duct, though the blockage usually gets cleared on its own.

Symptoms (bacterial or viral infection)

• Discomfort in the eye; feeling of sand or grittiness of the eyes
• Redness of the white surface of the eye and the inner lining of eyelids
• Yellow or watery discharge
• Swollen eyelids
• Sensitivity to bright light

How the infection spreads

• By direct contact, like touching an infected person or touching things used by the infected person
• Through coughing and sneezing
• From one infected eye to the other clear eye, when the child touches the infected eye and then touches the clear eye, both happening unintentionally
• Through contaminated water, when children are together in the swimming pool
• Spreads easily among children at day-care or at school, where there are chances for close contact between a healthy child and an infected child
• Direct eye to eye contact allows spreading of the virus through air.

Treatment

Bacterial infection is treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment, while a viral infection needs no medication and the virus has to run its course. The infection may last for 2 to 5 days and get cleared on its own. Tearing and discharge are the body's ways to heal the eyes from the infected condition. Cleansing the eyes with cool clean water will reduce the discomfort caused by the infection. The best treatment to clear conjunctivitis is to bathe the eyes with a sea salt solution.

If the infection is accompanied by fever, swelling and causes an uneasy feeling, then you should call your doctor. This needs to be treated promptly. Many eye problems other than conjunctivitis too show symptoms of redness of the eye, so proper diagnosis by the doctor is necessary to confirm if it is normal conjunctivitis or much more of a serious illness.

Prevention

The best way to prevent this is to stay away from an infected person and to not use things handled by the infected person. These include tissues, towels, pillows, other linens, and cosmetics like eye make-up and other face make-ups. Wash towels and other linen used by the child separately using hot water to avoid spreading of the infection. Keep your child who is infected, at home, until she gets cleared of the infection, so as to prevent the spreading of the infection to other children at day-care or school. Instruct your child not to touch the infected eye area and to keep her hands clean by washing them regularly with soap and water if she happens to touch the infected eye or the discharge. Teach the child to use tissues and to cover her mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.

Contact lenses should be avoided until the symptoms are completely cleared. Instruct your child not to rub her eyes, as the infection is likely to be spread from one eye to the other by the rubbing of eyes. Let antibiotic eye drops used to treat an infected person be not reused. It is better to dispose it off after the treatment is over.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is the reaction of the eye to an allergen. It is not contagious. It accompanies other allergic diseases like hay fever, eczema and asthma. The allergens which cause conjunctivitis include pollen, dust mite or cosmetics or contact with animals like cats. It is common among children during summer and hay fever season. Allergic conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes at the same time. The symptoms of this type of conjunctivitis arise as a result of the response of the body's immune system with release of histamines, taking the allergen to be an attacking substance.

Symptoms

• Redness of the eye
• Swelling of eyelids
• Itching of the eyes
• Increased tear production
• Blurred vision

Treatment

Identifying what brings about the allergic response and getting away from this source of allergen is the primary treatment. A cool compress on the eyes is effective. It gives relief from some of the symptoms and helps to prevent rubbing of the eyes. To get relief from itching, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or anti inflammatory eye drops. When the child is taken outdoors, you can make her wear glasses. Developing inflammation can be prevented by certain allergy medications recommended by the doctor.

Prevention

Keep your child away from sources of allergen. Instruct the child not to rub or touch the eyes or tears flowing from the eyes. The child should wash her hands clean, if she touches the eyes or the tears. The person applying eye drops or ointment to the child should wash his hands before applying it. Avoid allergic pollen by keeping doors and windows closed in seasons when there is heavy pollen. Keep your house-hold clean by dusting and vacuuming frequently, to avoid being affected by allergens.

Irritant conjunctivitis

This is caused by materials that serve as an irritant to the eyes. For example, shampoo in your eyes or chlorine in swimming baths, smoke or fumes are some of the irritants that cause conjunctivitis. Discomfort, redness and watering are the symptoms when the conjunctiva is irritated. Avoiding the irritants is the way to prevent occurrence of this eye problem.