Symptom Definition

• Redness or pinkness of the white of the eye (sclera) and inner eyelids.
• May have increased tearing (watery eye).
• No pus or other discharge.
• Main cause: viral infection (part of a cold).
• Other common causes: allergic conjunctivitis from pollens or chemical conjunctivitis from irritants (e.g., chlorinated pool water, smoke, smog or sunscreen).

See More Appropriate Topic

• If feels like something got in eye, see EYE, FOREIGN BODY IN.
• If yellow or green pus in eye, see EYE, PUS OR DRAINAGE.
• If main symptom is itchy eyes, see EYE, ALLERGY.

(To go directly to these topics, click on the links following this document.) 
 

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick.
• Eyelid is very red or very swollen.
• Constant tearing or blinking.
• Eye pain or blurred vision.
• Age less than 12 weeks with fever above 100.4°F (38°C) rectally.
• Age less than 1 month old (newborn).
• Only 1 eye is red and present for more than 24 hours. 

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

• You think your child needs to be seen.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns.

Parent Care at Home

• Red eye as part of a cold (viral conjunctivitis) and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
• Red eye caused by mild irritant (e.g. soap, sunscreen, food) and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

Home Care Advice for Viral Eye Infections

1. Eye Cleansing:  Cleanse eyelids with warm water and a clean cotton ball at least every 1 to 2 hours while your child is awake and at home.  This usually will keep a bacterial infection from occurring.
   
   
2. Eye Drops:  Neither antibiotic nor vasoconstrictor eye drops help viral eye infections.
   
   
3. Contacts:  Children with contact lenses need to switch to glasses temporarily (reason: to prevent damage to the cornea).
   
   
4. Contagiousness:  Pink eye with a watery discharge is harmless and mildly contagious.  Children with viral conjunctivitis do not need to miss any day care or school.
   
   
5. Expected Course:  Pink eye with a cold usually lasts about 7 days.
   
   
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   
   Yellow or green discharge develops.
   
   Redness lasts for more than 1 week.
   
   Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Home Care Advice for Mild Irritants (e.g., smoke, smog, chlorine, perfume, food, soap, sunscreen)

1. Face Cleansing:  Wash the face, then the eyelids, with a mild soap and water.  This will remove any irritants.
   
   
2. Eye Irrigation:  Irrigate the eye with warm water for 5 minutes.
   
   
3. Vasoconstrictor Eye Drops:  Red eyes from irritants usually feel much better after the irritant has been washed out.  If they remain uncomfortable and bloodshot, instill some long-acting vasoconstrictor eye drops (no prescription needed).  Use 2 drops every 6 to 8 hours as necessary.
   
   
4. Expected Course:  After removal of the irritant, the eyes usually return to normal color in 1 to 2 hours.
   
   
5. Prevention:  Try to avoid future exposure to the irritant.
   
   
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   
   Develops pus in the eye.
   
   Redness lasts for more than 7 days.
   
   Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000 Barton D. Schmitt, MD, FAAP

See related topics:

• Eye, Allergy
• Eye, Foreign Body In
• Eye, Pus or Discharge