Red Eye and Eye Infection
Did your child get up this morning with red eyes? Red eyes may indicate an eye infection but not always. There are other reasons that may cause red eyes and you should become familiar with the differences.
In the article below, you can read about the common causes of red eyes, when red eyes indicate a contagious eye infection. How are we infected? What is the treatment? And, of course - how do we prevent it?
The causes of red eye and the development of an infection
Common causes of red eyes and their development into an eye infection:
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Viruses and bacteria
Most eye infections are caused by a virus or bacteria. In this case, discharge from the eye will also appear. This indicates that it is a contagious eye infection.
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Allergy
Non-contagious eye inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to various substances such as dust and animal fur.
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Eye injury
Largely attributed to penetration of a foreign body into the eye, such as dust or sand, resulting in irritation and a non-contagious inflammatory reaction.
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Other eye diseases
Extremely rare cases. This is not a contagious disease.
In any case, if the child has red eyes, you should take the child to the doctor to determine the cause and to receive instructions on appropriate care. Important reminder: only a combination of redness and discharge from the eye indicate the presence of a contagious eye infection.
Symptoms
Redness in the eyes is the main symptom of an eye infection but these may be accompanied by other symptoms (not all of which appear - depends on the cause of the infection):
- Tears.
- Itching.
- Purulent or watery discharge, to the point that eyelids stick together - this symptom combined with a red eye indicates a contagious eye infection.
- Swelling.
- Eye pain or discomfort.
- Feeling of a foreign body in the eye.
- Sensitivity to light.
In addition, eye infections that are attributed to a virus are generally accompanied by a cold and upper respiratory tract infection.
Blocked tear ducts
Infants from birth to one year of age experience a common phenomenon that you should know about - blocked tear ducts. Due to its tremendous similarity to the symptoms of eye inflammation, the two events are easily confused so it is important to be aware of the phenomenon.
In the case of blocked tear ducts, infants will experience purulent and watery discharge from one or both eyes. These symptoms are due to the blockage and failure of tears to drain, which cause the proliferation of bacteria.
In most infants, the blockage will naturally disappear by the age of one. For this reason, treatment is generally conservative and includes use of compresses and massages of the area adjacent to the lacrimal sac to relieve pressure. Other treatments are also available to widen the drainage openings, and, in rare cases, surgery is required to open the lacrimal sac.
In any case, if there is recurring discharge from the infant’s eye, it is important to seek medical attention and diagnosis of a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Mode of transmission
As previously mentioned, eye infections caused by virus or bacteria are one of the most contagious diseases around. All other types of eye infections are not contagious.
The disease is transmitted through contact with discharge from a patient's eye, including contact with objects touched by a patient that had secretions left on them (such as a door knob, elevator button, computer keyboard, face towel), spray from sneezing or coughing, and even swimming in a pool together.
Duration of the disease
The duration of the eye infection is related to the cause of the disease, and is usually several days.
Viral conjunctivitis generally lasts between one week and 10 days but there are cases in which the disease lasts for two-three weeks.
Viral conjunctivitis improves with treatment within 2–5 days, but can take up to two weeks.
Treatment
The type of inflammation and its cause will determine the course of treatment:
Viral eye infection
Treatment is not necessary and the infection will disappear on its own within several days. Symptoms can be alleviated by placing cold or warm compresses on the eye, use of artificial tear drops (over the counter) and cleaning the discharge. To clean the eye, use sterile wipes (a separate wipe for each eye). It is very important that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after contact with the eyes.
Bacterial eye infection
Treatment will involve antibiotic eye drops or antibiotic eye ointment (with a doctor’s prescription). Some cases will also require use of oral antibiotics.
Allergic conjunctivitis
The treatment primarily involves antihistamine eye drops and occasionally treatment with steroids. It is also extremely important to avoid repeated contact with the allergen.
Important to emphasize
Important to emphasize
If the child wears contact lenses, it is important to remember that they must not be worn while the child has an eye infection.
Possible complications
In the case of eye infection, it is important to note several red flags that require medical attention:
- Severe eye pain.
- Sensitivity to light or blurred vision that does not improve when wiping the discharge from the eye.
- Increased discharge and severe redness of the surface of the eye.
Prevention
These rules of hygiene should be followed to prevent or reduce the risk of contracting an eye infection:
- It is important to wash hands before and after any contact with the eyes and treatment with eye drops or ointment.
- Be careful when using towels and bedding. Frequently replace towels and bedding, and launder them at high temperatures.
- In most cases, it is recommended not to send a child with a contagious eye infection to kindergarten or school until the symptoms of the disease disappear (see the next section regarding this guideline).
When should children attend their educational frameworks
One common question that concerns parents is when should their child be allowed to attend school and when should he or she remain at home. The Ministry of Health guideline (Hebrew) distinguishes between two situations with regards to eye infections:
- Mild conjunctivitis, not accompanied by discharge and without eye pain, with no swelling of the eyelids and no fever - in this case, if the child feels well despite the symptoms, he or she can attend preschool or school.
- Conjunctivitis accompanied by discharge, eye pain and swollen eyelids (or any of them alone) - in this case, the child should remain at home until recovery.