Conjunctivitis in Children

Sometimes their eyes suddenly turn red, become inflamed and itchy. It may just be eye strain from watching TV or playing computer games, or it can be the start of conjunctivitis. It is very easy to determine: tired eyes usually return to normal in half an hour, but if conjunctivitis has begun, the alarm symptoms will only intensify.

The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye. Accordingly, conjunctivitis is its inflammation. Depending on the cause of the disease, there are the following types of conjunctivitis:

*Bacterial (purulent). It occurs when bacteria, such as staphylococci, Escherichia coli, etc. get in the eyes. Often children themselves bring infection in their eyes when they rub
them with their hands.
Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria responsible for tonsillitis, measles or various skin diseases is also considered bacterial.
*Viral. It is associated with some viral diseases (for example, acute respiratory viral infections), which seem to be a triggering factor.
*Allergic. It occurs as a result of exposure of a mucous membrane to the substances that cause an allergic reaction. The irritants can be different: from plant pollen, fluff or fur – to foods and perfumes.
*ombinations of different types of conjunctivitis are also possible: viral and allergic, viral and bacterial, bacterial and allergic.

Conjunctivitis: Signs and Symptoms

• red eyes;
• uncomfortable sensations: eye pain, itching;
• swelling of the conjunctiva;
• a foreign body sensation;
• watery mucous discharge, mucopurulent and purulent discharge. Conjunctivitis may be without discharge, morning crusting is also possible.

If you noticed the first signs of conjunctivitis in a child, you may provide first aid. In this case, the basic method is rinsing their eyes (every 2 hours). You may rinse them with boiled water, tea leaves (1 teaspoon of tea leaves per a half glass of water) or Furacilin Solution (dissolve 1 Furacilin tablet in a half glass of water).

During the illness, it is better for the child to stay at home. This is not only because of the risk of infecting other kids, but also to reduce the eye strain caused by changes in light and temperature.

Let`s Prevent Conjunctivitis

To avoid any problems, make sure to visit a doctor. The treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause of the disease. So, for viral conjunctivitis antiviral drops are prescribed, for purulent one – antibiotics, allergic conjunctivitis is treated with anti-allergy drugs.

There is also a combination of drugs for the treatment of conjunctivitis – for example, antiviral drugs are taken along with anti-allergy drugs or with an antibiotic. These drugs affect only the mucous membrane of the eye and are safe for the body.

You should never decide which medicine to use, because without knowing what caused conjunctivitis, you can achieve the opposite effect: if your child`s sensitivity to the chosen drug decreases, the eye doctor will eventually have to prescribe stronger drugs to cope with the infection.

In treating conjunctivitis, the main focus should be on its prevention, and the most important factor here is good personal hygiene. First of all, teach your kid to wash their hands regularly. Ventilate their rooms, strengthen their immune system and periodically wash their toys. See that your child uses their own towel. If your kid is allergic to pollen, the doctor should prescribe appropriate medication eye drops, which should be placed in their eyes about 3 weeks before the expected bloom. The same eye drops should be put in regularly throughout the blooming season.

Following these simple guidelines will help your child minimize the risk of conjunctivitis.

At Okomedikas Ophthalmology Clinic you can get advice from a highly qualified pediatric ophthalmologist. Based on the data received, the doctor will select an individual program of prevention or treatment for conjunctivitis.