If your baby gets up in the morning with swollen eyelids, reddened eyes and crusts on the eyelashes, it is most likely conjunctivitis. It needs to be treated as soon as possible, having first determined the cause of the inflammation.
ALENA PARETSKAYA
Pathophysiologist, immunologist, member of the St. Petersburg Society of Pathophysiologists DARIA DENISOVA Ph.D., pediatric ophthalmologist “SM-Doctor”
In children under 5 years of age, conjunctivitis accounts for up to 30% of all visits to an ophthalmologist for about eye problems. More often they are associated with viral or purulent inflammation, less often they are a consequence of eye injury.
Causes of conjunctivitis in children
Most often, inflammation of the eyes in children is of infectious origin.
Less commonly, inflammation is caused by exposure to allergens and external irritants. Each type of conjunctivitis has its own characteristics. Bacterial conjunctivitis predominates in children. Most often these are pathogens such as:
- staphylococcus;
- streptococcus;
- Pneumococcus;
- conditionally pathogenic flora from the skin of the hands;
- gonorrheal and chlamydial staphylococcus (in newborns, at birth through the natural birth canal when the mother is infected).
Bacteria can come not only from the external environment, but also from nearby purulent foci with otitis media, tonsillitis, pyoderma, and sinusitis.
Although tears have a certain antimicrobial activity, with a decrease in immunity, due to trauma or mechanical damage to the mucous membrane, inflammation is possible when the nasolacrimal duct is blocked. Viral infections can also cause conjunctivitis. Among them:
- flu;
- herpes simplex;
- adenovirus;
- measles;
- enterovirus;
- chickenpox.
With viral conjunctivitis, there may also be signs of pharyngitis, rhinitis, and tonsillitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis is usually provoked by pollen (with hay fever), less often by animal dander, food or medications.
Some types of conjunctivitis are contagious; outbreaks are typical in children's groups, especially among children who are in close contact with each other. Defects in caring for the baby, poor nutrition, dry air, and bright lighting increase the risk of conjunctivitis.
Diagnosis of conjunctivitis
If symptoms of conjunctivitis occur, the child should be seen by a qualified ophthalmologist.
At the initial appointment, the specialist carefully listens to the complaints of the patient and his parents, studies the medical history in detail to identify the possible cause of the disease. To do this, the doctor checks whether the child has allergic reactions, previous infections, contacts with patients, etc. Then the ophthalmologist proceeds to examine the cornea and conjunctiva to detect characteristic signs of the disease. After a preliminary diagnosis has been made, the patient is referred for additional studies to confirm it and determine the nature of the disease.
The following diagnostic methods are performed at the SM-Doctor clinic for children and adolescents:
- scraping and smear from the conjunctiva of the eye for microbiological and cytological examination;
- taking a general blood test;
- carrying out allergy tests.
Other studies are prescribed according to indications.
Based on the test results, the doctor will be able to reliably assess the characteristics of the course of the disease. This is necessary to select the most optimal treatment tactics in each case.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis in children
The manifestations of viral, microbial infections and the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are slightly different.
They are often accompanied by additional symptoms – runny nose, cough, fever and malaise. Any conjunctivitis provokes:
- swelling of the eyelids;
- redness of the white of the eye or both;
- increased lacrimation;
- photophobia;
- feeling of sand or burning in the eyes;
- spasm of the eyelids;
- the appearance of crusts on the eyelashes.
Children often rub their eyes, are capricious, cry, and may have a low temperature.
Sometimes vision may deteriorate during the acute period of the disease. It is restored after the conjunctivitis is eliminated. With bacterial conjunctivitis in children, one eye first becomes inflamed, then after 1 - 2 days the second one. Mucopurulent or viscous cloudy discharge, sticking of the eyelids and abundant crusting on the eyelashes are typical.
With viral conjunctivitis, both eyes are inflamed at once, there is a fever, runny nose and signs of a cold. Swelling of the eyelids, copious mucous discharge, and sticking together of the eyelids after sleep are typical.
Allergic conjunctivitis is similar to viral conjunctivitis, but without the symptoms of a cold. The eyes are swollen, the eyelids are swollen, and there is typically a watery discharge from both eyes.
When should you see a doctor?
Not all parents are seriously concerned about the appearance of conjunctivitis and prefer to treat it using “grandmother’s” recipes. Treatment with folk remedies is quite acceptable and in some cases turns out to be very effective, but it can only be used after consulting a pediatrician about the possibility of using a specific method and the absence of contraindications for this.
You should urgently visit an ophthalmologist if your child:
- has not reached one year of age;
- complains of pain and severe burning in the eye area;
- notes blurred vision;
- there is profuse lacrimation;
- I began to feel worse (a temperature appeared, my eyes turned red and watery).
The reason for going to the doctor is the formation of pustules, bumps and blisters on the surface of the eyelid or on the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Modern methods of treatment
“Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the causes of the disease,” says ophthalmologist Daria Denisova. – In general, the disease is not dangerous, but it cannot go away on its own. The treatment of conjunctivitis is mainly local. In accordance with the form of the disease, the cause of its occurrence and the age of the child, the following medications are used:
- antibacterial;
- antiviral;
- antiallergic;
- anti-inflammatory.
Treatment is almost always carried out at home, provided that all doctor's instructions are strictly followed. If necessary, therapy is adjusted by related specialists, for example, an ENT doctor, an allergist or a pediatrician.
Description of the disease
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common diseases in ophthalmology, which can occur in absolutely anyone, regardless of age and gender. Conjunctivitis is often diagnosed in infants from the first weeks of life.
Pathology can be suspected by redness of the eyes, swelling of the mucous membrane and the presence of purulent or mucous discharge. There are 3 main forms of the disease, depending on the nature of its development: allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial and viral. Any form requires mandatory medical intervention, since self-medication can cause irreparable harm to the health of the child’s eyes.
Prevention of conjunctivitis in children at home
Often conjunctivitis occurs due to poor personal hygiene. Therefore, you must follow simple rules:
- Do not touch your face or eyes with unwashed hands;
- wash your hands with soap, especially when returning from the street;
- use only personal towels, pillowcases, etc.;
- do wet cleaning in the apartment, in the house, ventilate the premises more often;
- During illness, children should not attend kindergarten or school, additional education institutions, sports clubs, or swimming pools.
Preventive measures
- Compliance with hygiene requirements in institutions.
- Isolation of patients with conjunctivitis.
- Following the rules of personal hygiene.
To prevent conjunctivitis from protracting and becoming chronic, consult a doctor if signs appear. We have experienced ophthalmologists who will conduct an initial examination, diagnose and prescribe diagnostic and therapeutic measures. modern treatment.
| Prices | |
| Treatment of conjunctivitis | from 1400 rub. |
Tsiprolet
Tsiprolet eye drops are inexpensive (compared to analogues), but are very effective for childhood conjunctivitis. One bottle of this Indian drug is enough to completely get rid of conjunctivitis in a child. If you follow the instructions and apply drops to your child’s eyes every 5 hours for three days, the symptoms of conjunctivitis will completely go away. "Tsiprolet" can be used in children from 1 year of age. The duration of treatment for conjunctivitis is no more than 1 week. “Tsiprolet” perfectly relieves inflammation of the eyes, it is sold in a convenient package, but it stings a little, so take this point into account.
Tsiprolet
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, India
Tsiprolet eye drops are an aqueous solution of ciprofloxacin for topical use in ophthalmology.
The drug belongs to antimicrobial drugs from the fluoroquinolone group, exhibits a bactericidal effect against most gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and is used to treat bacterial eye diseases (conjunctivitis, keratitis), including those caused by microorganisms resistant to other groups of antibiotics. from 45
995
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Oftalmoferon
“Ophthalmoferon” for conjunctivitis is a drug that not all doctors have a positive attitude towards, indicating that it does not have a sufficient evidence base. The manufacturer positions these antiviral eye drops as the most powerful in the fight against conjunctivitis. "Ophthalmoferon" is suitable for adults and children, and is indicated during pregnancy. Eye drops destroy bacteria in the conjunctiva, on the membrane of the eye, and on the mucous membrane of the eyelids. Some ophthalmologists prescribe these drops to prevent viral eye diseases. The active substance of the product - interferon - relieves inflammation, stimulates the immune system, and kills viruses. "Ophthalmoferon" also contains acid with diphenhydramine, which works as an antiseptic. All components of these drops for conjunctivitis are safe for the body and are not absorbed into the blood. Remember that after opening the bottle, Oftalmoferon drops must be stored in the refrigerator.
Oftalmoferon
Firn M, Russia
adenoviral, hemorrhagic (enteroviral), herpetic conjunctivitis;
adenoviral, herpetic (vesicular, punctate, tree-like, map-shaped) keratitis; herpetic stromal keratitis with and without corneal ulceration; adenoviral and herpetic keratoconjunctivitis; herpetic uveitis and herpetic keratouveitis (with and without ulceration); dry eye syndrome; prevention of graft disease and prevention of relapse of herpetic keratitis after keratoplasty; prevention and treatment of complications after excimer laser refractive surgery of the cornea. from 232
666
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Vitabact
Vitabact eye drops produced in France are the safest broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Vitabact drops for conjunctivitis are indicated even for newborns. “Vitabakt” not only relieves eye inflammation and reduces purulent discharge, but also directly affects the causative agents of the disease. Judging by the reviews, these eye drops moisturize the eyes well, relieve mucous membrane irritation and discomfort. Among the disadvantages of Vitabact are the rather high price and short shelf life after opening the bottle (1 month). Parents say that these drops for conjunctivitis are well tolerated even by the youngest children because they do not cause a burning sensation.
Vitabact
Novartis Pharma Services AG (Novartis Pharma), Switzerland
Adults and children from 0 years: - bacterial infections of the anterior part of the eye;
- dacryocystitis; — prevention of infectious complications in the postoperative period after surgical interventions in the anterior eye area. from 156
554
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Levomycetin
Drops for conjunctivitis "Levomycetin" are prescribed to both adults and children. This drug treats bacterial conjunctivitis, blepharitis and blepharoconjunctivitis, keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis, and secondary bacterial infections. Once on the eyeball, these drops destroy pathogenic microflora and unpleasant symptoms; eye inflammation goes away within a few days. Ophthalmologists recommend dripping Levomycetin into your eyes every 2-3 hours for a week or more (it all depends on the specific case). The active ingredient of Levomycetin is chloramphenicol, which destroys bacteria on the mucous membrane of the eye. Levomycetin drops effectively fight staphylococci, salmonella, gonococci, spirochetes and other harmful microorganisms. Conjunctivitis can be treated with Levomycetin drops for children over 3 years old. Please note the short shelf life of the drops after opening the bottle, as well as the list of side effects.
Levomycetin
Slavyanskaya Pharmacy, Russia; Lecco FF ZAO, Russia; PJSC "Biopharma", Ukraine
A drug for the prevention and treatment of infectious eye diseases: conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis.
from 6
965
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