Teaching Kids About Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis in Children
Conjunctivitis is by no means limited only to children. An infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva — the membrane within the eyelid and protecting the white aspect of our eyes — can occur in individuals of any age secondary to an infection, an allergic reaction or chemical irritation. Infectious conjunctivitis can be the result of a bacterial or viral infection.
In children, however, a highly contagious type of bacterial conjunctivitis can often run throughout a school or daycare facility’s entire population due to the isolated subpopulation of children available as victims and habits children engage in throughout the day. According to an interview with Dr. Laura Perrin of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, children are often prohibited from attending school until they have been treated with antibacterial eye drops or ointments for at least 24 hours in an effort to help prevent the infection of an entire school.
Teaching Kids About Pink Eye
Both the viral and the bacterial form of infectious conjunctivitis can be transmitted directly by touch. Knowing this aspect of the disease’s transmission as well as the frequency with which children rub their eyes — particularly throughout a school day — clearly indicates the ease by which the infection can spread throughout a classroom, school or daycare center. Depending upon their age and grade, children should be instructed about the following aspects of this disease:
• “Pink Eye” is the common name for the eye infection known medically as infectious conjunctivitis.
• Germs or bacteria cause most infectious conjunctivitis. Treatment requires antibacterial eye drops or eye ointment to help your body’s defenses fight the infection.
• Viral or infectious conjunctivitis can be spread by touch, both direct and indirect. Teach your child never to intentionally touch another child’s face or eye area. If this occurs accidentally, your child should wash his or her hands immediately or use an antibacterial gel.
• While it may be good manners to share school supplies, the practice shares germs and potential infections as well. Provide your child with his or her own supplies and provide instructions on how to combine courtesy with disease prevention.
• Emphasize regularly the importance of your child washing his or hands throughout the day.
• Teach your child the symptoms of pink eye that they may begin to experience before the infection becomes apparent, such as itchy eyes, blurry vision, feeling as if an eyelash or other foreign object is in the eye or light sensitivity. Children may not understand these common terms and they may need to be explained at their level, such as “if bright light hurts your eyes” as opposed to the term “acute photo-sensitivity.”
• Teach your child the advanced symptoms of pink eye, such as matted eyelashes, pain with each eye blink and discolored sclera or whites of their eyes. Remove the child’s pillowcase and any washcloths or towels used to be laundered so as not to spread the infection among family members.
• Teach your child why the medication they are prescribed must be applied on a regular basis until the entire prescription is complete.
Source:
New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. “Does ‘Pink Eye’ Have You Seeing Red?”
Does My Child Have Pink Eye?
If you suspect that your child is developing infectious conjunctivitis, make an appointment with your family optometrist immediately. An optometry examination can help determine if the inflammation is viral or bacterial and what treatments and medications will be necessary to avoid the spread of the disease.
