When Eyes Are Pink

     Because it is one of the most common problems of childhood, there are some basic facts that parents should know about “pinkeye”.

     “Pinkeye” simply means that the eye has a red discoloration. There are different medical problems that can cause the eye to be red – some don’t need any treatment and some need immediate care.

     The most common cause of a red eye is a viral infection. This usually comes along with a viral cold – fever, runny nose, congestion and cough. The eye is mildly red and has lots of tearing. Older children will complain that it feels like “something is in my eye”. (If there are no cold symptoms, check – there could be something in the eye!) Usually the eye is not sensitive to light and there should be no pain. A viral infection of the eye can cause the eye to be “pink” for a few weeks. The major problem is that this kind of infection is very contagious and can easily spread through a day care or classroom. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for a viral pinkeye. Even more unfortunate is the fact that many day care centers insist that the child be on antibiotics before they are allowed to return even thought the antibiotics do nothing to treat the infection or prevent its spread.

     Allergy can also cause a child’s eyes to be red. This pinkeye comes on seasonally and is accompanied by other allergy symptoms. The eye has lots of tearing and itches – you will always see the child rubbing his eyes. A thin, clear bubble can appear on the white area of the eyeball or bumps may develop on the inside of the lower lid. This pinkeye can be treated with antihistamines, just like the other allergy symptoms.

     A more serious infection is a bacterial infection of the eye. Sometimes a viral infection of the eye can change into a bacterial infection and sometimes bacterial infections occur spontaneously. A blocked tear duct in a newborn can also sometimes develop into a bacterial infection. This infection causes the eye to be really red. There is usually a thick, colored discharge from the eye and the eye may not be sensitive to light but may have some pain. This infection needs to be checked right away and treated with antibiotics.

     There are two other lumps near the eye that can cause the eye to be pink. A sty is a little pimple-like bump with pus in it that appears at the edge of the eyelid just at the base of the eyelash. There is usually some tenderness, swelling and redness around the bump. This is treated with warm compresses and antibiotics.

     A firm bump can also develop under the center of the upper or lower eyelid. This can cause some irritation and redness in the eye itself. This is called a chalazion and is also treated with warn compresses and, sometimes, with antibiotics.

     Finally, even if the eye is not pink, any child who complains of pain in the eye or vision problems needs to be seen by a physician right away.