Bacterial pinkeye has to be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Ointments are quite thick and when first applied to the eye will cause vision to be blurred. The medication has to be used for a period of one week.
Viral pinkeye infections don’t have to be treated with antibiotics, but often a child’s doctor will prescribe them to ward off bacterial infection or if he is unsure whether the pinkeye is caused by a virus or bacteria.
Children usually accept treatment of pinkeye well. They’ll do almost anything to get rid of the sandy, itchy feeling in their eye. Others will protest when it’s time for you to administer the eye drops or ointment.
Usually infectious pinkeye will disappear on its own. However, doctors often prescribe antibiotics in order to speed healing. Antibiotics also prevent the infection from spreading. Infectious pinkeye is not usually serious, but can cause eye damage if not treated with care. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders if you child has infectious pinkeye.
Allergic pinkeye doesn’t usually need antibiotics, but your family physician or the child’s pediatrician may prescribe oral medications to ease the symptoms and keep the child comfortable.
Neonatal pinkeye is a serious condition. Antibiotic drops and ointments should be prescribed by your child’s doctor. If the case is severe, antibiotics may be given by intravenous drip.
Make your child as comfortable as possible while he has pinkeye. Allow him to place cool, not cold, compresses on his eye. Be sure to get a clean cloth every time you cool it for him. This will eliminate the chance spreading.
Administer ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the discomfort of pinkeye. Never give aspirin to children, as it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, which can cause liver and brain damage.
Use pieces of gauze or cotton balls to bath your child’s eyes. When finished, destroy them immediately to prevent spreading of the infection to other family members.