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Pediatric Red Eyes services offered in Plano, TX
Red, bloodshot eyes can look alarming but aren’t usually a threat to sight. If your child develops red eyes, Lori Dao, MD, at Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas in Plano, Texas, can diagnose the cause and offer effective treatment. Call Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas today to request your child’s pediatric red eye evaluation or book an appointment online.
What are pediatric red eyes?
Redness in the eyes affects most people at times, and children are no exception. The redness occurs when blood vessels on the eye’s surface swell.
Red eyes can happen suddenly or develop slowly, depending on their cause. The cause also determines whether your child experiences other symptoms alongside the redness, such as:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Itching
- Discharge
- Vision changes
Very often, red eyes look far worse than they feel. However, it’s important to visit Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas to see what’s causing the problem.
What causes pediatric red eyes?
Children can develop red eyes for many reasons. The most common is conjunctivitis (pink eye). There are two types:
Viral conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis typically develops when a child has a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Symptoms usually affect one eye and then spread to the other. In addition to redness, symptoms might include:
- Excessive tearing
- Burning
- Itching
- Swollen eyelids
- Light sensitivity
Your child might also have a watery, stringy, or yellow eye discharge.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial pink eye develops when bacteria get in your child’s eye. This can happen if they touch their eyes without washing their hands first. Symptoms resemble viral conjunctivitis, but there’s often significantly more discharge.
Other conditions that can cause pediatric red eye include:
Corneal abrasion
Dust, sand, dirt, and contact lenses are the most likely things to scratch the cornea (the clear portion of the eye).
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is eyelid inflammation. It happens when tiny glands near the eyelid’s base become clogged, causing irritation. It can sometimes cause a lump (stye) to develop.
How is pediatric red eye treated?
Pediatric red eye treatment varies depending on its cause. For example, most children with blepharitis recover without medical treatment, provided you keep their eyes clean. In contrast, if your child suffers a corneal abrasion, you should take them to Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas without delay to prevent damage from an infection.
No medicine cures viral conjunctivitis, but Dr. Dao can recommend eye drops and self-help measures like using a cool compress to soothe the inflammation. Your child’s immune system will clear the infection in time.
Antibiotic eye drops or ointments treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, so they’re ineffective against viruses.
Call Pediatric Ophthalmology Partners of Texas for a fast, accurate pediatric red eye diagnosis and effective treatment. You can also book using the online form.