CLUES TO VISION PROBLEMS IN A CHILD

 Look for these symptoms in children of all ages

• Does not fix on or follow objects with eyes
• Squints
• Rubs eyes
• Is bothered by bright light
• Has crossed eyes, a turned eye, or a wandering eye
• Has red rimmed encrusted, or swollen eyelids
• Has inflamed watery eyes or yellow discharge from eyes
• Has eyes that bulge or are different in size
• Has eyes that twitch or shake
• Has an abnormal looking pupil i.e. smaller than the other or white or glowing

In a child 1 year or older, also look for these clues

• Stumbles into large objects
• Cannot pick up small objects
• Holds objects very close to the eyes
• Closes or covers one eye
• Tilts head
• Blinks excessively
• Suffers from pain in the eyes, burning or itching
• Has blurred or double vision
• Cannot see the blackboard
• Complains of headaches
• Habitually sits too close to the television and or computer screen
• Nausea or dizziness when doing close work
• Performs poorly in school - for teachers and parents

You rub and rub your eyes, but they won't stop itching. When you look in the mirror, they are red and puffy. What's going on? Do you have a strange sickness? No - you have a common problem called conjunctivitis. Read below to find out more.

What Is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis (say: con-junk-tiv-i-tis) is the most common eye problem kids can have. It causes redness, itching, inflammation (say: in-flam-may-shun) or swelling, and a white, yellow, or greenish gooey liquid to collect in the eyes for about 1 week. Many people know the more common name for conjunctivitis, which is pinkeye. The word pinkeye is used because the white part of the eye and eyelids becomes very red or pink when you have it.

Most people get conjunctivitis in both eyes at the same time. Conjunctivitis usually doesn't hurt, but the itching is annoying. It feels like you have an eyelash or a speck of dust in your eye and can't get it out. Your doctor can give you medicine for conjunctivitis.

Adults, especially parents and teachers who spend a lot of time with kids, can get conjunctivitis too. Conjunctivitis lasts a short time and then goes away by itself or after treatment.

How Do I Get Conjunctivitis?

Kids get conjunctivitis for different reasons. Most kids get it from bacteria (say: bak-teer -ee-ah) or viruses. This is called infectious (say: in-feck-shus) conjunctivitis. Bacteria are smaller than the head of a pin and can only be seen with a powerful microscope. They live on your skin all the time and you never know it. Most don't ever bother you, but certain kinds of bacteria can cause infections like conjunctivitis. Sometimes kids get ear infections when they have conjunctivitis because the same bacteria can cause both problems. Kids also get conjunctivitis because of allergies or because they get something irritating in their eyes.

Conjunctivitis is very easy to catch just through touching. You can become infected by touching the hands of a friend who has it if he touched his eyes first. If you then touch your eyes, the infection can spread to you. Washing your hands a lot with hot, soapy water is the best way to not get infected with conjunctivitis.

How Does the Doctor Know That I Have It?

No one knows exactly how many children get conjunctivitis each year but your doctor treats a lot of kids who have it and he or she can spot it very quickly. Your doctor will know if you have conjunctivitis by looking carefully at your eyes. He or she will also ask you if your eyes have been red and itchy lately and if you know anyone, like a brother or a friend, who has red and itchy eyes too.

Another way your doctor can tell is to look for the liquid coming from your eyes and see if it is different than usual. Finally, your doctor may examine your ears to see if you have an ear infection caused by the same bacteria that can cause conjunctivitis.

What Does the Doctor Say to Do?

The first thing the doctor will do is prescribe a treatment for you, which your parents will get at the pharmacy (say: far-ma-see), the part of the drug store where parents get medicine your doctor has prescribed. This painless treatment will be either eye drops, which you have to put in about four times each day, or an eye ointment, which is given two or three times a day. Babies are usually given the ointment and kids and adults get the eye drops.

Your parents can help you put the medication in your eyes for about 1 week. It's important to use whatever the doctor prescribes.

If your eyes are still bothering you, your parents can give you cool or warm packs for your eyes. Sometimes, parents can make you feel better by gently cleaning your eyes with warm water and cotton balls to remove the gooey liquid or crusty stuff. They should be very careful to wash their hands and throw out the towels and cotton balls they use so they don't infect themselves or other family members.

The most important thing your doctor will tell you is not to touch your eyes so no one else in your family or your friends will get conjunctivitis from you. Also make sure to scrub your hands to get rid of bacteria you can't see, so you don't spread it to others.

How Can I Keep Myself From Getting It?

There is no way to prevent conjunctivitis but you can help stop spreading it. Try to keep your hands off your face and eyes and wash your hands often.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have It?

If your eyes are itchy or red, you should tell your parents. Do not wait because conjunctivitis spreads so easily. Your parents will probably call the eye doctor for an appointment.