EYE, RED (WITHOUT PUS)

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR VIRAL EYE INFECTIONS

  1. Eye Cleansing:  Cleanse eyelids with warm water and a clean cotton ball at least every 1 to 2 hours while your child is awake and at home.  This usually will keep a bacterial infection from occurring.
  2. Eye Drops:  Neither antibiotic nor vasoconstrictor eye drops help viral eye infections.
  3. Contacts:  Children with contact lenses need to switch to glasses temporarily (reason: to prevent damage to the cornea).
  4. Contagiousness:  Pink eye with a watery discharge is harmless and mildly contagious.  Children with colds in the eye do not need to miss any day care or school.
  5. Expected Course:  Pink eye with a cold usually lasts about 7 days.
  6. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Yellow or green discharge develops.
    • Redness lasts for more than 1 week.
    • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD EYE IRRITANTS (e.g., smoke, smog, chlorine, perfume, food, soap, sunscreen)

  1. Face Cleansing:  Wash the face, then the eyelids, with a mild soap and water. This will remove any irritants.
  2. Eye Irrigation:  Irrigate the eye with warm water for 5 minutes.
  3. Vasoconstrictor Eye Drops:  Red eyes from irritants usually feel much better after the irritant has been washed out.  If they remain uncomfortable and bloodshot, instill artificial tears or some long-acting vasoconstrictor eye drops (no prescription needed). You can ask your pharmacist to recommend a brand. Use 1 drop every 8 to 12 hours as necessary.
  4. Expected Course:  After removal of the irritant, the eyes usually return to normal color in 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Prevention:  Try to avoid future exposure to the irritant.
  6. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Develops pus in the eye.
    • Redness lasts for more than 7 days.
    • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

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