Pink Eye Symptoms in Children

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is the swelling and consequent reddening of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and the surface of the eye. This discoloration causes the eye to appear pink or red, hence the nickname of pink eye for the disorder. Pink eye is actually more than one eye disorder, and treatment varies based on the type.

Identification

• When a child has pink eye, the most prominent symptom is a pink or red color to one or both eyes. Skin inflammation around the eyeball and eyelid occur from a pink eye infection, making the eye appear large or bloated. Children may scratch their eyes continuously, since pink eye itchiness doesn't go away. A child may wake to an eye that is sealed shut with pus or crust. Visual issues are also common with pink eye, including double vision and blurriness. Pink eye can also cause bumps on the eyelid, both over and under. Tearing of the eye also occurs during pink eye, and is usually extremely excessive. Doctors can verify the type of conjunctivitis by swabbing eye discharge and performing an analysis on it.

Types

• There are actually three different types of pink eye. Viral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis all display the same basic symptoms associated with pink eye, but are actually separate and distinct illnesses. Bacterial conjunctivitis affects both eyes, and commonly causes redness of both eyes, along with yellow or green discharge from the eyes. Viral conjunctivitis most often affects only one eye, and the discharge from the eye is clear. Allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic response to an irritant, and results in redness of the eyes with a clear discharge. As opposed to viral conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis may resolve and come back when removal and re-exposure to the irritant occurs. Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) causes clear discharge and bumps on and under the eyelid. This type of conjunctivitis is due to an issue with contact lenses.

Treatment

• With GPC, eyes begin to heal once contact lens removal occurs. Using that type of contact lens is probably not possible, since the eye will most likely respond similarly again. Bacterial conjunctivitis warrants the use of antibiotic eye drops to rid the eye of the bacterial infection. Antihistamines work well in resolving allergic conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis has no treatment that resolves besides simply waiting it out. For all types, warm compresses help ease the discomfort a little while waiting for the eye to heal.

Misconceptions

• The only types of conjunctivitis that are contagious are viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis and GPC are not contagious, and require no special precautions.

Considerations

• To a parent, the types of conjunctivitis appear extremely similar. In order to properly identify and treat conjunctivitis, an ophthalmologist or pediatrician consult must occur. This prevents spreading pink eye if it is contagious in nature, and allows for proper antibiotic treatment if it is bacterial.

Warning

• Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis easily transmit from person to person just by basic contact. Once a child has one of these types of conjunctivitis, a doctor must clear the child to resume school or activity continuance. Schools require a note from a doctor stating the conjunctivitis is no longer contagious in order for the child to come back in order to protect the other children from catching it.