How could pink eye affect a child’s vision?
This eye infection may be annoying and even painful for children, but it’s treatable. Find out what causes pink eye and how to keep it from spreading to other family members.
Many things look pretty in pink, but the eyes aren’t among them. This eye infection, known as pink eye, or conjunctivitis, may turn the whites of the eye pink or red. Fluid may leak out of 1 or both eyes. There may be crusting along the eyelids.1
Fortunately, while common among children, pink eye isn’t usually a cause for concern, notes Michelle Andreoli, M.D. She’s an ophthalmologist at Northwestern Medical Group in Winfield, Illinois, and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The first step is to see an eye care provider. They can treat the infection and offer remedies, explains Dr. Andreoli. “They can also perform an examination to make sure the symptoms are not a sign of something more serious, such as measles,” she adds.
Measles, a childhood disease, may cause pink, watery eyes too. So can many other eye conditions, including infections of the cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye). But even when an eye exam rules out more serious issues, pink eye on its own is painful and annoying.
That’s why it’s a good idea to know what pink eye is, what may cause it, and how to spot and treat it.
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What causes pink eye?
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the membrane — the thin sheet of tissue known as the conjunctiva — that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid.2 Three things may trigger the inflammation, says Dr. Andreoli.3
- Bacteria, which may be found on the skin or picked up when kids touch their eyes with dirty hands
- Viruses, like the ones that may cause colds
- Allergies, which usually happen to kids who suffer from seasonal allergies
Pink eye caused by bacteria or viruses is (very) contagious. That’s not true of the allergic type.
Children may spread pink eye by coming into close contact with someone who’s infected, or even by sneezing or coughing in each other’s faces. Conjunctivitis can also be spread when eye makeup or face lotions are shared. Children who wear contact lenses may also be at risk, especially if they don’t wash their hands or clean their lenses properly.
What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?
Pink eye is hard to miss. The symptoms are generally noticeable and may include:1, 3
- Redness (or pinkness) in the white part of the eye and inner eyelid
- Itchiness, especially in children with allergic conjunctivitis
- Green or yellow discharge from bacterial infections
- Crusty eyelids or eyelashes from thick discharge
- Puffy, swollen eyes
- Pain, usually from viral infections (children may complain that it feels as if there’s sand in their eyes)
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Does pink eye affect vision?
A child’s vision may be temporarily affected, usually from the symptoms, says Dr. Andreoli. Children may also have blurry vision or be sensitive to light, she explains.
Be on the lookout for these signs that could signal inflammation in the cornea, which may affect vision:2
- A lot of eye pain
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision or a decrease in vision
In that case, it’s time to call an eye care provider right away, notes Dr. Andreoli.
Why is pink eye so contagious?
“Pink eye is most often caused by direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids,” says Dr. Andreoli. Adults and older kids may be susceptible, but it’s the youngest children that are the most likely to contract pink eye. “They’re in close contact with others and don’t always practice good hygiene,” she adds.
Children (and grown-ups) may be contagious for as long as they have symptoms. Bacterial conjunctivitis may be cleared up with antibiotics, including drops. But children (and adults) may still be contagious for about 24 to 48 hours after they start getting the drops.1
Treating and preventing pink eye
When it comes to viral conjunctivitis, “the body fights the virus on its own,” says Dr. Andreoli. This may take a couple of weeks. But there are no ointments or drops that will clear up viral cases of pink eye.3
If the pink eye is bacterial, an eye care provider may prescribe antibiotic eye drops, explains Dr. Andreoli. “If the conjunctivitis is due to allergies, certain eye drops can help with the itchiness and puffiness,” she notes.
Parents may do things at home to soothe their child’s pink eye — or their own pink eye if they happen to catch it from their kid.3
- Apply a warm compress over the eye, such as a washcloth. For allergic conjunctivitis, use a cool compress.
- Give age-appropriate doses of ibuprofen or another over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever.
- Try OTC eye drops, such as artificial tears. But stay away from eye drops that reduce redness. “They can worsen symptoms,” says Dr. Andreoli.
- Skip DIY remedies and online hype, says Dr. Andreoli. “Every so often, we hear of social media trends encouraging people to put certain foods and herbal extracts in the eye as a cure. But these are not sterile and can make eye conditions much worse.”
To prevent pink eye from spreading:1,3
- Wash hands often
- Wash the discharge from the eye with a clean cotton ball or pad
- If children wear contact lenses, they need to switch to eyeglasses until the infection is gone or the eye care provider gives the go-ahead to wear them again
- Change towels and washcloths every day (and don’t share)
- Toss out eye makeup, including mascara
It’s hard to know if pink eye may affect a child’s vision on an ongoing basis. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to touch base with an eye care provider. They can recommend relief from this annoying infection and also make sure there are no complications.
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Sources:
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis) Cleveland Clinic, last reviewed August 2022.
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis) Mayo Clinic, March 2024.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye) American Optometric Association.
