Pink eye disease - VnExpress Health

Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, usually caused by a virus, requiring attention to hygiene, proper use of oral medications and eye drops.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Deputy Director of Children's Hospital (HCMC).

What is pink eye?

- Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, usually caused by a virus.

- The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane lining the inside of the upper and lower eyelids. It is normally clear white, but when infected, it becomes congested and red.

Symptom

- Feeling of grittiness, stinging, pain, heat, itching or heaviness in the eyelids, fear of light and watery eyes, eyes with mucus discharge can cause sticky eyelashes, especially when waking up in the morning.

- The discharge can be milky white, pale yellow or pale green; thick or liquid; and will reappear very quickly after wiping.

- Fussy, irritable.

- The conjunctiva loses its normal transparency, becomes congested, and is red and swollen. When the disease is severe, the conjunctiva may swell outward or the upper and lower eyelids may swell.

- The disease usually occurs in one eye, a few days later spreading to the other eye, and can also occur in both eyes at the same time.

- Vision is not reduced in simple conjunctivitis. If the secretions are concentrated in the cornea and there is watery eyes, the child will have a feeling of fog.

- Eye pain and photophobia.

- There may be swollen lymph nodes in front of the ear.

How to care

Most cases of pink eye are treated on an outpatient basis, note:

- Take medication as prescribed by your doctor (fever reducer, pain reliever, itch reducer).

- Use safe eye drops, usually neomycin or tobramycin.

- Do not use eye drops containing corticosteroids because of the risk of secondary infection and increased intraocular pressure.

- The second eye usually gets sick after 48 hours so both eyes must be instilled, two drops in each eye, 6-8 times/day.

- Clean eyes with 0.9% Sodium Chloride saline solution.

- Eat a normal and healthy diet.

- Avoid irritants such as dust, animal hair...

- Relative isolation and general hygiene.