How do I know if my child has conjunctivitis?
Does your child have a red eye, one or both eyes that are running, or eyelids that are itchy? Does he often rub his eyes? Have you noticed any yellowish discharge? He may have conjunctivitis. Nathalie Voide, a doctor in the paediatric strabology and ophthalmology unit, explains how to recognise this pathology.
What is this inflammatory disease of the conjunctiva?
Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory condition of the surface of the eye, affecting a transparent membrane called the conjunctiva. It is benign and very common in children. Especially those who go to nurseries and are therefore very exposed to germs. There are three main types of conjunctivitis: viral, bacterial and allergic.
Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis
These two ophthalmic pathologies frequently occur during a flu-like condition associated with a cough and cold. It is therefore important to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid transmitting germs to the eyes. To distinguish between conjunctivitis caused by bacteria and conjunctivitis caused by a virus, it is often important to carry out a small examination under a microscope, using a slit lamp, to assess whether or not antibiotic treatments should be introduced.
In all cases, it is always important to use a saline solution to rinse the eyes thoroughly. Cold water compresses can also provide relief.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs more frequently during the pollen season and causes lacrimation, eye swelling, redness and, above all, itching in children. It is usually accompanied by sneezing.
It is also treated with saline, often anti-allergic or antihistamine eye drops prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
It is important to look for complications that may arise on the cornea, the surface, the vitreous, which is on the front of the eye. The latter can present certain complications, hence the importance of assessing these children in the event of acute allergic conjunctivitis.
Do you want to learn more about children’s eye diseases?
Redness, eyes stuck on awakening, photophobia, a swollen eyelid or irritation can also be the signs and symptoms of other pathologies. We invite you to visit our page on childhood diseases, which deals with eye allergy, dry eye or congenital glaucoma. If you are in doubt about your child’s visual health, please do not hesitate to consult an ophthalmologist.
Does your child have a red eye, one or both eyes that are running, or eyelids that are itchy? Does he often rub his eyes? Have you noticed any yellowish discharge? He may have conjunctivitis. Nathalie Voide, a doctor in the paediatric strabology and ophthalmology unit, explains how to recognise this pathology.
What is this inflammatory disease of the conjunctiva?
Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory condition of the surface of the eye, affecting a transparent membrane called the conjunctiva. It is benign and very common in children. Especially those who go to nurseries and are therefore very exposed to germs. There are three main types of conjunctivitis: viral, bacterial and allergic.
Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis
These two ophthalmic pathologies frequently occur during a flu-like condition associated with a cough and cold. It is therefore important to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid transmitting germs to the eyes. To distinguish between conjunctivitis caused by bacteria and conjunctivitis caused by a virus, it is often important to carry out a small examination under a microscope, using a slit lamp, to assess whether or not antibiotic treatments should be introduced.
In all cases, it is always important to use a saline solution to rinse the eyes thoroughly. Cold water compresses can also provide relief.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs more frequently during the pollen season and causes lacrimation, eye swelling, redness and, above all, itching in children. It is usually accompanied by sneezing.
It is also treated with saline, often anti-allergic or antihistamine eye drops prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
It is important to look for complications that may arise on the cornea, the surface, the vitreous, which is on the front of the eye. The latter can present certain complications, hence the importance of assessing these children in the event of acute allergic conjunctivitis.
Do you want to learn more about children’s eye diseases?
Redness, eyes stuck on awakening, photophobia, a swollen eyelid or irritation can also be the signs and symptoms of other pathologies. We invite you to visit our page on childhood diseases, which deals with eye allergy, dry eye or congenital glaucoma. If you are in doubt about your child’s visual health, please do not hesitate to consult an ophthalmologist.