Pinkeye. When the white of the eye becomes pink or red, it's called pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is another name for pinkeye. The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the white of the eye. It becomes pink when it is infected or irritated. Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) has many causes.
Viral conjunctivitis is the main cause of pink eyes without pus. Most often, it is part of a cold.
Bacterial conjunctivitis. Pinkeye plus the eyelids are stuck together with pus. Most likely, this is a secondary infection of a viral conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis from pollens. Most children with eye allergies also have nasal allergies (hay fever). Symptoms include sneezing and clear nasal discharge.
Irritant conjunctivitis from sunscreen, soap, chlorine in pool water, smoke, or smog. Irritants can also be transferred by touching the eye with dirty fingers. Irritants can be food or plant resins.
Foreign body (FB). If only one side has pinkeye, a FB in the eye must be considered.
Serious Cause. A bacterial infection of the eyelids and skin around them. Causes the lids to be very red and swollen.
Return to School
Pinkeye with a watery discharge is harmless. There is a slight risk it could be passed to others. Children with pinkeye from a cold do not need to miss any school.
When to Call Us for Eye - Red Without Pus
Call Us Now (night or day) If
Your child looks or acts very sick
Eyelid is very red or very swollen
Nonstop tears or blinking
Vision is blurred
Eye pain that's more than mild
Turns away from any light
Age under 12 weeks old with fever. (Caution: Do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.)
You think your child needs to be seen urgently
Call Us During Weekday Office Hours If
You have other questions or concerns
Age under 1 month old
Redness lasts more than 7 days
Parent Care at Home If
Red eye is part of a cold
Red eye is caused by mild irritant (such as soap, sunscreen, food, smoke, chlorine)
CARE ADVICE FOR RED EYE WITHOUT PUS
Treatment For Viral Eye Infections
What You Should Know:
Some viruses cause watery eyes (viral conjunctivitis).
It may be the first symptom of a cold.
It isn't serious. You can treat this at home.
Colds can cause a small amount of mucus in the corner of the eye.
Here is some care advice that should help.
Eye Cleansing:
Cleanse eyelids with warm water and a clean cotton ball.
Try to do this every 2 hours while your child is awake and at home.
This usually will keep a bacterial infection from occurring.
Artificial Tears:
Artificial tears often make red eyes feel better. No prescription is needed.
Use 1 drop per eye 3 times a day as needed. Use them after cleansing the eyelids.
Antibiotic and vasoconstrictor eyedrops do not help viral eye infections.
Eye Drops: How to Give
For a cooperative child, gently pull down on the lower lid. Put 1 drop inside the lower lid. Then ask your child to close the eye for 2 minutes. Reason: So the medicine will get into the tissues.
For a child who won't open his eye, have him lie down. Put 1 drop over the inner corner of the eye. If your child opens the eye or blinks, the eye drop will flow in. If he doesn't open the eye, the drop will slowly seep into the eye.
Contact Lenses:
Children who wear contact lenses need to switch to glasses for a while.
Reason: To prevent damage to the cornea.
Return To School:
Pinkeye with watery discharge is harmless. There is a slight risk it could be passed to others.
Children with pink eyes from a cold do not need to miss any school.
Pinkeye is not a public health risk. Keeping these children home is over-reacting. If asked, tell the school your child is on eye drops (artificial tears).
What to Expect:
Pinkeye with a cold usually lasts about 7 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
Your child gets pus in the eye
Redness lasts more than 1 week
Your child becomes worse
Treatment For Mild Eye Irritants
What You Should Know:
Most eye irritants cause redness of the eyes.
It that will go away on its own.
You can treat that at home.
Face Cleansing:
Wash the face with mild soap and water.
Wash off the eyelids with water.
This will remove any irritants still on the face.
Eye Wash:
Rinse the eye with warm water for 5 minutes.
Eye Drops:
Red eyes from irritants usually feel much better after being washed out.
If they remain uncomfortable and bloodshot, you can use some artificial tears.
You can also use a long-acting vasoconstrictor eye drop. No prescription is needed. Ask your pharmacist to suggest a brand.
Dose: Use 1 drop every 8 to 12 hours as needed.
What to Expect:
After the irritant is removed, the eyes usually return to normal color.
This may take 1 to 2 hours.
Prevention:
Try to avoid future contact with the irritant.
Call Your Doctor If:
Pus in the eye occurs
Redness lasts more than 7 days
Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact us if your child develops any of the "Call Us" symptoms.
Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Sudden health concerns rarely seem to happen between nine and five. That's why we always have staff on duty 24/7, including holidays and weekends. The call is free, so why wait and worry?
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