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Q: Both of my kids
recently developed pink eyes associated with tearing. A neighbor who had eye
irritation is suggesting an eye medication she used for her eye infection
several weeks ago. Is this advisable for my newborn? What about for my
six-year old?
“Pink eye”, or
conjunctivitis, is a non-specific finding that simply indicates inflammation of
the outermost lining of the eyeball. It is called neonatal conjunctivitis when
it occurs during the first month of life. The most common cause of pink to red,
watery eyes in the first few hours of life is chemical conjunctivitis secondary
to silver nitrate prophylaxis. This occurs immediately after silver nitrate is
administered, is self-limited, and, in most cases, lasts for less than a day.
The infectious causes of
neonatal conjunctivitis usually present at least 48 hours after birth, and
include the following: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neiserria gonorrhoeae, Group B
streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae,
and Herpes simplex virus type 2. In general, the specific causative organism
can be determined by the time of onset of the conjunctivitis. Infections can be
acquired from vaginal microorganisms during birth, or from hand-to-eye
contamination from hospital workers. An infection from the birth canal is
usually associated with a vaginal delivery, but also can occur after a caesarean
delivery if the amniotic membranes rupture prior to delivery.
An ophthalmology consult
should be considered for any newborn with conjunctivitis. The initial workup
for presumed infectious neonatal conjunctivitis includes microbiologic
examination of conjunctival and corneal scrapings as well as cultures on
different media. Severe cases should be admitted for intravenous antibiotic
treatment.
Conjunctivitis in older
children may involve a variety of causes, including an extraocular foreign body,
chemical toxicity, trauma, uveitis, episcleritis, allergic disease, viral or
bacterial infections, and eyelid inflammation (blepharitis). Intraocular
diseases, including endophthalmitis (infection within the eye), and tumors
associated with necrosis (such as retinoblastoma), can also produce conjunctival
inflammation, and may present as conjunctivitis. The vast majority of children
who present with pink eye, however, will have a benign, self-limiting
conjunctivitis. The most common causes of paediatric conjunctivitis are listed
below:
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Blepharitis
-
Allergic conjunctivitis
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Bacterial conjunctivitis
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Viral conjunctivitis
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Trauma (foreign body, corneal
abrasion, chemical burn, subconjunctival haemorrhage, trichiasis)
-
Ocular inflammation
-
Ocular tumor
In general, cultures and
gram stain are not routinely performed for mild to moderate conjunctivitis in
older children. Your ophthalmologist would know the basic distinguishing
clinical features each of the common causes of paediatric conjunctivitis,
including the most appropriate antibiotic for the suspected organism. The
organism that caused your neighbour’s conjunctivitis may not be what is causing
your children’s eye infection so using eye medications prescribed for others is
definitely not advisable.
There are several ways of reaching the ophthalmologists of EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic:
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ONLINE ACCESS
WEBSITES.
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Surgery Resource
http://www.Glaucoma.com.ph - Glaucoma
Online
http://www.Uveitis.com.ph - Uveitis Online
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Atlas
CLINIC INFORMATION
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EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Manila
3/F Don Santiago Building Units 309-310
1344 Taft Avenue, Ermita
Manila, 1000 Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 536-2398
Trunk Line: (632) 523-8271 to 79 local 30
Mobile: (63917) 899-2020
Map and directions
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
Asian Hospital
and Medical Center
5/F Medical Office
Building (MOB) Suite 509
2205 Civic Drive,
Filinvest, Alabang
Muntinlupa City,
1781 Philippines
Direct:
(632) 771-9253
Direct and Fax:
(632) 771-9254
Mobile: (63917) 795-2020
Map and Directions
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EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Medical City
6/F Medical Arts Tower Inc (MATI) Suite 602
MERALCO Compound, Ortigas Avenue
Pasig City, 1604, Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 632-7846
Mobile: (63917) 537-2020
Map and directions
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
St. Luke's
Medical Center
6/F
Cathedral Heights Building Complex (CHBC)
North Tower Suite 614
279 E. Rodriguez
Sr. Boulevard
Quezon City, 1102
Philippines
Direct and Fax:
(632) 407-3883
Mobile: (63917) 855-2020
Map and directions
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CLINIC HOURS
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All clinics are closed on Sundays and Holidays
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PINK EYE information compiled by
Dr. Barbara L. Roque
and initially uploaded on May 1, 2005.
Last updated on
September 14, 2007. |
