Self Care Articles

Is this your child's symptom?

• Red or pink color of the white of the eye without any pus
• The eye looks irritated
• May have increased tears (a watery eye)
• Eyelid may be puffy (mildly swollen)
• No pus or yellow discharge
• Not caused by an eye injury

Causes of Pinkeye (Red Eye)

• Pinkeye Defined. When the white of the eye becomes pink or red, it's called pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is the medical name for pinkeye.  The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the white of the eye.  It becomes pink or red when it is infected or irritated. Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) has many causes.
  • Viral Conjunctivitis is the main cause of pink or red 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 is 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.
  • Contact Lens Conjunctivitis is caused by poor use of disinfectant solution or lenses kept in overnight.
• Rebound Conjunctivitis from Vasoconstrictor Eye Drop Abuse. Usually occurs in teens who use daily OTC eye drops to remove mild redness. After the medicine wears off, the blood vessels become larger than they were to begin with. Similar to the rebound nasal congestion seen in chronic nose drop abuse.
• Foreign Object. If only one side has pinkeye, an object in the eye must be considered.
• Palpebral Cellulitis (Serious). A bacterial infection of the eyelids and skin around them. Causes the lids to be very red and swollen.