Patient's question:
Why do children always blink their eyes? The hospital said it was conjunctivitis, but nothing else was mentioned, but after a week of eye drops, it still didn't go away and needed testing. The detailed examination results:Doctor's answer:
Conjunctivitis is a common infectious form of conjunctivitis. Children may experience a noticeable foreign body sensation and a burning sensation. There is a significant amount of discharge (eye discharge), leading to blurred vision. Immediate treatment is required. However, if the discharge is completely removed, vision may not be affected. The discharge initially becomes serous and gradually transforms into mucoid. In the morning, the eyelashes may stick together, forming a dry crust that makes it difficult to open the eyes. Sometimes, a pseudomembrane may form on the surface of the eyelid conjunctiva, appearing grayish-white and easily removable but prone to recurrence. Conjunctival congestion is prominent, especially in the fornix, and sometimes may lead to repeated subconjunctival petechiae or hemorrhage.Treatment Advice: First, use a wet cotton swab to clean the eye discharge and completely remove any pseudomembrane. Then, rinse the discharge thoroughly with physiological saline. Next, apply 0.25% chloramphenicol or 10%-30% sodium sulfacetamide eye drops every 2 hours. Apply antibiotic ointment before bed, commonly using 0.5% erythromycin ointment. Avoid covering the eye or applying cold compresses.
Prognosis and Care: Prevention should focus on the following points:
- Interrupt the transmission route.
- Do not use the patient’s towels, handkerchiefs, face basin, or learning tools.
- After touching the patient’s eyes or items, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water to enhance hygiene education.
- Discourage the habit of rubbing the eyes with hands.