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Common Childhood Eye Diseases


When the following diseases are suspected, the child needs to be examined by a primary care physician or children’s health service, who will co-manage the child’s care with an ophthalmologist when necessary.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can refer to either a viral or bacterial infection (both very contagious), or an allergic reaction (not contagious).

What to look for:
  • The eye appears red or pink due to inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, filmy membrane that covers the inside of eyelids and white part of eye.
  • The eye tears and/or has discharge, and is usually itchy and uncomfortable.
  • When a viral infection is the cause, the child may also have a fever, sore throat and runny nose.

What to do:
If the child has (or may have) contagious pink eye, he or she needs to stay home from school or return home to avoid infecting others. Contagious pink eye usually resolves in three to seven days. When the tearing and discharge from the eyes has stopped the child may return to school.

Chalazion
Chalazion looks like a small lump on the eyelid, and may occur when a meibomian gland (an oil-secreting gland in the eyelid) becomes clogged. It is not caused by infection.

Stye
A stye looks like a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid; it is caused by an infected eyelash follicle.

Preseptal or Orbital Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an infection related to trauma, an upper respiratory infection or an eyelid infection.

What to look for:
  • The tissues around the eye appear red and painfully swollen. The condition usually occurs in one eye, which may be swollen shut. 
  • The child may have a fever. 
  • More serious preseptal or orbital cellulitis infections can cause decreased vision, an inability to move the eye, and the appearance of the eye being pushed forward.

What to do:
  • Both forms of cellulitis are serious conditions that require urgent medical attention. Take the child to a primary care doctor or other qualified health professional who will co-manage the child's treatment with an ophthalmologist.
  • When children participate in sports, recreation, crafts or home projects, it’s important for them to know eye safety practices and use protective glasses as appropriate. Each year thousands of children sustain eye damage or even blindness from accidents at home, at play or in the car. More than 90 percent of all eye injuries can be prevented through use of suitable protective eyewear.
  • Sports deserve particular attention, because eye injuries occur fairly often in children and young adult athletes: between the ages of five and 14, most sports-related injuries in the U.S. occur while playing baseball. Virginia Eye Institute optical shops offer a full range of rec-specs.
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