Discharge from the eyes: causes, symptoms and treatment

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From All About Vision

Eye discharge is a combination of mucus, oil, skin cells and other particles that accumulate in the corners of the eyes during sleep." They may be wet and sticky or dried out, depending on how much liquid has evaporated.

Mucous secretions serve a protective function by flushing waste products and potentially harmful particles from the tear film and the front surface of the eye.

Your eyes produce mucus throughout the day, but the ever-present tear film bathes your eyes with every blink, removing the secretions before they have a chance to harden.

When you sleep and don't blink, secretions accumulate and dry in the corners of your eyes, and sometimes along your eyelash line."

Some eye discharge after sleep is completely normal, but excess discharge, especially green or yellow in color, accompanied by blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or eye pain may indicate a serious eye infection or eye disease. Therefore, you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist.

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Types of infection

Viral

The main symptom is purulent discharge from the eyes. But there are other signs that vary depending on the cause.

During a viral etiology, conjunctivitis develops a little later than the main manifestations: cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, rash, etc. Most often, the discharge is initially mucous, but then a bacterial infection occurs and it becomes purulent.

• Adenoviral infection, by the way, is the most common reason that a baby’s eyes fester; it begins with an increase in temperature. All signs of intoxication are present: headaches, weakness, loss of appetite. Then the condition improves slightly and the hyperthermia goes away. But after this, a second wave of the disease begins with a repeated increase in temperature and sore throat. The child develops snot, enlarged lymph nodes and red eyes. Due to the fact that sensitivity is reduced, he will not experience lacrimation or burning.
• With measles, inflammation is accompanied by photophobia.
• With a herpetic infection, characteristic blisters with transparent contents appear on the skin of the eyelids. Photophobia develops, the eyes become very watery.

Bacterial

During the bacterial etiology of the disease, “eye” symptoms come to the fore.

• With staphylococcal and pneumococcal infections, first on one side, then on the other, the eyes begin to fester. And pus comes constantly and abundantly. The eye is red.
• With gonorrheal conjunctivitis, which can develop on days 2–3 in a newborn baby, the source of infection is the mother or care items. The clinical picture is characteristic: the eyelids swell and become very dense. It is difficult for the baby to open his eyes. The mucous membrane is edematous, the discharge is scanty and mixed with blood. Subsequently, the swelling subsides, the discharge becomes abundant, and its color is yellow or green.

Older children can also become infected; their disease is more severe, and the risk of complications (corneal damage with ulcer formation, endophthalmitis, loss of vision) is very high. The route of transmission of infection is contact (through care items).

• When the cause is diphtheria bacillus, a dense film of dirty gray color is formed. The eyelids swell.

Allergic

Chlamydial conjunctivitis causes redness of the conjunctiva

This species also has some features. For example, with allergies to plants, seasonality is characteristic: signs of the disease begin to appear during the flowering period of a certain grass. Or this symptom appears after contact with any substance: household chemicals, animal hair, library dust, food, etc. Accompanying: itching in both eyes, mucous discharge. There are other symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, rash on the body, shortness of breath.

Chlamydial

It occurs in newborns on days 5–10 and is associated with a urogenital infection in the mother. It manifests itself as abundant pus mixed with blood, redness of the conjunctiva, and swelling of the eyelids. It is accompanied by inflammatory foci in other organs: respiratory tract, genitourinary organs, etc.

Other eye infections

Besides conjunctivitis, there are many eye infections that cause abnormal discharge from the eyes. For example:

• Ocular herpes (recurrent viral eye infection)
• Fungal keratitis (rare but serious inflammation of the cornea)
• Acanthamoeba keratitis (a potentially blinding parasitic infection usually caused by poor contact lens hygiene or swimming while wearing contact lenses).

Discharge from an eye infection varies greatly - it can be clear and watery or thick, green and sticky, so you should see an eye doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

Blepharitis

A chronic eyelid disease, blepharitis, is either an inflammation of the hair follicles of the eyelashes or an abnormal production of meibomian gland secretions on the inner edge of the eyelids.

Meibomian gland dysfunction

Also called MGD, this dysfunction of the oil glands in the eyelid can cause foamy discharge from the eyes, sticky eyelids, yellow or green pus, and irritation and pain.

Barley

A stye is a blockage of the meibomian gland at the base of the eyelid, usually caused by an infected eyelash follicle. Also called a hordeola, it resembles a pimple on the edge of the eyelid and is usually accompanied by redness, swelling of the eyelids, and tenderness at the site of the lesion. Yellow pus, sticky eyelids, and discomfort when blinking may also occur.

CM. SEE ALSO: How to get rid of stye

The tear duct system keeps the eyes hydrated and protected.

Dry eyes

Insufficient tear production or meibomian gland dysfunction can lead to dry eye syndrome, an often chronic condition in which the surface of the eye does not lubricate properly, becoming irritated and inflamed. Symptoms include red, bloodshot eyes, a burning sensation, blurred vision, and a sensation of a foreign body in the eye." Sometimes dry eyes can also cause very severe watery eyes.

Contact lenses

When wearing contact lenses, your eyes may discharge more than usual. This can be due to a number of reasons, including eye infection due to contact lens wear, contact lens discomfort resulting in dry and irritated eyes, and contact lens wearers rubbing their eyes more frequently. If you notice more discharge from your contact lenses, remove your lenses and see your eye doctor to rule out a potentially serious eye condition.

Eye injury

A foreign body in the eye (such as dirt, particles, or a chemical) or injury to the eye may cause a watery discharge as a natural protective reaction. If you notice pus or blood in the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhage) after an eye injury, contact your eye doctor immediately for treatment. All eye injuries should be treated as an emergency.

Corneal ulcer

A corneal ulcer is a sight-threatening, abscess-like infection of the cornea, usually caused by eye trauma or an advanced eye infection. If not treated promptly, corneal ulcers can lead to permanent vision loss. Corneal ulcers are characterized by pain, redness, swelling of the eyelids, and thick discharge from the eyes. The discharge of pus can be so strong that it causes clouding of the cornea and blurred vision.

Dacryocystitis

When the tear duct is blocked, inflammation and infection of the tear sac in the tear duct drainage system can occur, resulting in a painful and swollen lump under the inner eyelid. Besides pain and redness, common symptoms of dacryocystitis include watery eyes, sticky eye discharge, and blurred vision.

General signs and principles of treatment

The disease progresses differently in children than in adults. Their health suffers, their character changes, they sleep and eat poorly, which aggravates the course of the disease.

By morning, the eyelids stick together and yellow or green crusts form on them. The eye becomes watery and photophobia is possible. On examination, it is easy to clearly see that it is swollen and red.

Infants and even older children are unable to express what they feel. The main symptom that provides suspicion of the disease is discharge. Older children may complain of pain in the eyes, a “grain of sand” feeling, pain, burning, and blurred vision.

However, conjunctivitis is a serious and dangerous disease, the most dangerous complication of which is loss of vision. It is extremely important to see a doctor from the first symptoms of illness in a child.

Treatment consists of careful hygiene, treating the eyes and using special drops or ointments. Medicines are prescribed strictly by a doctor: the choice is made taking into account the etiology, i.e. the cause. Treating on the advice of friends, grandmothers, healers is not only unwise, but also dangerous!

When a child’s eyes fester, it is necessary to remove the crusts. This should be done often: every 1–2 hours on the first day of illness, then 2–3 times a day. Wipe the eyes from the outer corner to the inner one, take a new cotton swab for each eye. It is best to use a furacillin solution for these purposes.

Rinse the eyes on both sides, even if only one is “sick,” since the incubation period during bacterial conjunctivitis can be asymptomatic.

Don't: apply bandages! Humidity, suitable temperature, lack of light are ideal conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria!

In newborns

Children from birth to one year always receive special attention, including in ophthalmology. In infants under one year of age, there is a risk of obstruction to the outflow of tear fluid from the lacrimal sac (located at the inner angle) through the nasolacrimal ducts into the nasal cavity.

• Let’s say that at the moment of the baby’s first breath, the film that was present in intrauterine life did not break through - then purulent discharge appears at two to three months, i.e., when the lacrimal gland begins to produce tears.
• The second factor is that the nasolacrimal duct in a newborn is short itself, which causes the penetration of bacteria from the nasal cavity.
• The third factor is frequent rhinitis. The eyes begin to fester at the age when inflammation of the nasal mucosa develops: it happens during the newborn period, and at 4–5 months, and in a one-year-old baby.
• And the last reason is congenital anomalies. Consequently, signs of dacryocystitis appear early: before one month of age.

Treatment is initially medicinal. If it is ineffective, the doctor prescribes sounding. With a chronic process, when the eye constantly festers and other methods do not help, surgery is necessary.

When a child’s eyes fester, you cannot self-medicate. The symptom can indicate an infection, an allergy, or a congenital defect. Only a doctor can determine what is the cause of your baby’s illness and what the consequences are. This means that only he can select effective treatment. If a symptom appears, you should consult a doctor!

If problems with the eyes occur in a newborn, then, most likely, we are dealing with a complete or partial blockage of the lacrimal canaliculus - congenital. The classic symptom is souring of the eye without redness of the eyelid. What to do if an infant’s eye is purulent? There is nothing terrible in this diagnosis; it can be treated. As a rule, a massage is enough to restore the patency of the baby's tubules. You should not self-medicate, but you should contact a pediatric ophthalmologist. He will teach you how to massage and tell you how to wash your eye. If this does not help, then at the age of 2-3 months the lacrimal canal is probed. The procedure is not complicated, and after treatment you will forget what souring eyes are.

There are probably no people who did not have problems with their eyes in childhood - sourness, redness, pain. The article will talk about conjunctivitis, i.e. inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. Let's consider how to treat a child's eye if it is festering.

You should know that there are three causes of the disease; accordingly, this disease is of the following types:

• viral conjunctivitis;
• allergic.

Depending on this, eye treatment is prescribed. The difficulty of treatment lies in the fact that the symptoms of all types of conjunctivitis are almost the same. You can find out why a child’s eyes fester by analyzing the events that preceded the disease. For example, a child played in the sand, after which his eyes turned red, or the baby was given a plush toy the day before, which could cause an allergic reaction. Or perhaps the child had the flu or a sore throat. Analysis of events will allow us to determine the correct type of illness.

If the inflammation of the eye is viral, then treatment is useless. The disease will go away on its own when the body develops immunity. This will happen within 5-7 days. If we are dealing with allergic conjunctivitis (then both eyes of the child become inflamed), then rinsing should be combined with taking antihistamines.

If conjunctivitis is bacterial, then the doctor will prescribe topical antibiotics.

Often parents are in no hurry to see an ophthalmologist. Remember that you can only fight the disease at home for 1-2 days. Below we will answer the question in more detail: how to treat a child at home if his eyes fester?

What to do if a child’s eyes are very purulent?

1. Rinse the eyes well with saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per liter of boiled water), chamomile decoction or furatsilin. It is important not to transfer the infection from one eye to another. Therefore, there should be separate tampons for each eye. You need to rinse with a warm solution, carefully removing the crusts. This procedure must be done frequently for the baby - every 2 hours for 1-2 days.
2. What can you put in your child’s eyes if they are festering? Every 2-4 hours it is recommended to use disinfectant drops: Albucid (10% for newborns and 20% for older children); 0.25% solution of the drug Levomecitin, Colbiotsin, Futsitalmic, Vitabact, etc.
3. Children tolerate ointments better than drops, because... they don't sting your eyes. There are ointments that will help with conjunctivitis: 1% Tetracycline, 1% Erythromycin, Tobrex.

Thus, we looked at what can be used to wash and drip a child’s eyes if they fester. The number of procedures can be reduced by 3-4 days if the disease resolves successfully.

Sometimes parents may notice that pus appears in the child’s eyes in the morning or after sleep. This dependence is due to the fact that during the day, purulent discharge from the eyes can be independently removed by blinking. During rest, discharge accumulates and becomes more noticeable.

Why do my child’s eyes fester? There may be several causes of purulent eye infections; they are discussed in more detail. In pediatrics, bacterial conjunctivitis, secondary infections against the background of systemic diseases, dacryocystitis, and infections affecting children during childbirth come first. You can talk about purulent diseases of newborns.

Diagnostics

As part of the diagnosis of pathology, the following laboratory and instrumental studies are carried out:

• blood test (general);
• analyzes of secretions from the organ of vision;
• examination of eyelash hairs;
• allergy tests;
• biomicroscopy of eyelids, conjunctiva;
• probing of the lacrimal canaliculus;
• rhinoscopy;
• X-ray of the lacrimal ducts.

Mucus tests can determine the causative agent of the infection, whether it is a virus or bacteria. Diagnostics of eyelashes helps to identify the parasitic nature of the pathology. Allergy tests reveal the degree of sensitivity of the body to individual components.

Variety of reasons

Exogenous factors

If a child’s eyes are very purulent and he complains of photophobia, heaviness and sticking of the eyelids, blurred vision, and discomfort, then he may have a bacterial eye infection.

A child’s eyes can be damaged if pathogens enter them from dirty hands, foreign bodies, or when using other people’s hygiene items.

Purulent discharge from the eyes is nothing more than a mixture of waste products of microbes, pathogen residues, leukocytes, proteins, enzymes and damaged tissues. At the very beginning of the development of infection, this substance is more liquid, since exudative processes predominate. Gradually it becomes thicker and cloudier, which indicates the rapid completion of the process, removal of the pathogen and the beginning of tissue restoration.

Common causative agents of ophthalmic infections in children are Staphylococcus, Corynebacteria, H. influenzae, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Neisseria species. They produce yellow pus, and the blue-green color of the pus indicates infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The eyes of infants infected with gonococci during childbirth (with gonorrhea in the mother) or in older children with gonococcal urethritis become severely suppurated, and the discharge from the eyes is yellow with a greenish tint. To prevent gonoblennorrhea in babies, from the first hours of life, the visual organs are treated with Albucid or a silver solution.

Such precautions are extremely necessary, since older children suffer this disease much more severely, often encountering its complications - keratitis, joint damage.

Endogenous factors

Many causative agents of ophthalmic infections are located on the conjunctiva and may not manifest themselves in any way. Their rapid growth and development begins when favorable conditions occur:

• mechanical damage to the cornea;
• stagnation of tear fluid due to an abnormality in the structure of the lacrimal organs;
• dysfunction of the tear film, its drying out or insufficient production;
• Meibomian gland dysfunction;
• decrease in the level of interferons, lysozyme, lactoferrin, betalisin in the tear fluid;
• suppression of general immunity.

Often, parents may notice that their child’s eyes fester “seasonally” when cold weather sets in and the incidence of infections of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract increases. The reasons for this are a general weakening of the immune system and hematogenous spread of infection from foci of infection outside the eyes.

Against the background of general malaise, especially if it is accompanied by a high temperature, and green snot is released when you have a runny nose, it can be assumed that staphylococcus is rampant in the body. This pathogen can then enter the eyes from dirty hands or personal care items (for example, when wiping the nose and eyes with the same tissue) or spread from the nasal sinuses. Staphylococci can almost always be detected in smears if a child has festering eyes and a runny nose at the same time.

Return of discharge from the nasal passages often occurs when blowing the nose or through the nasolacrimal duct.

Also dangerous cases when a child’s eyes are red and fester include infection with Haemophilus influenzae. The pathogen is usually located in the upper respiratory tract, where it causes acute inflammation with a large amount of exudate. It poses the greatest danger to young children under four years of age. In them, the pathogen causes severe pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, conjunctivitis, and arthritis.

Hemophilic conjunctivitis occurs with a large discharge of pus, often accompanied by complications in the form of ulcers on the cornea. Ophthalmic drops with antibiotics are ineffective for this disease, so treatment is always carried out with systemic drugs.

Dangers of childhood include conjunctivitis, which develops against the background of diphtheria. The disease affects young children under 4 years of age. In the first stage, a red eye, its sharp swelling and the presence of whitish dense films are visually observed. These fibrous plates are difficult to remove from the surface of the conjunctiva, leaving bleeding wounds. Initially, the disease occurs without pus, with a slight secretion of mucus or cloudy liquid. This phase usually lasts a week. In the second phase of the disease, when the films come off on their own, pus begins to be released abundantly.

If a child’s eyes fester due to diphtheria, then most likely there will be complications from the organs of vision, which are manifested by the formation of adhesions between the eyelid and the eyeball, trichiasis, entropion of the eyelids, xerophthalmos, stellate scars that will remain for life. Treatment of this disease necessarily includes the administration of anti-diphtheria serum. Antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action are prescribed systemically, and locally - rinsing with solutions of antiseptics and sulfonamides.

Viral conjunctivitis in children is characterized by more pronounced redness and an abundance of mucous discharge. They occur against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and adenoviral infections. The eyes begin to fester when a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Viruses significantly weaken local immunity, opening the gates of infection.

Conjunctivitis

Known as red eye syndrome, it is widespread among adults and children. The most common causes are bacteria, viruses, and allergies. It also happens in the presence of a foreign body, damage to the cornea, or chemical exposure.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis:

• discharge from the eyes that is yellow, green, white or clear;
• redness of the eyes;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• there is dried purulent plaque on the eyelashes;
• itching, irritation;
• discomfort when wearing contact lenses;
• tearfulness;
• sensation of a foreign body in the eyes.

It is necessary to consult a doctor who will determine the nature of conjunctivitis and prescribe appropriate treatment. Let us next consider the main types of conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis in newborns

It is transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. It is caused by the pathogens Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis, and these 2 infections can occur simultaneously. Viral conjunctivitis is rare in newborns, although perinatally acquired herpes simplex virus can occur in the first few weeks of life. The mother and her partner will also need examination and treatment by a gynecologist or urologist.

Gonococcal conjunctivitis

During the first 5 days of life it is difficult and progresses quickly. It is usually bilateral with severe redness, swelling of the eyelids, and copious purulent discharge. There may be systemic complications, for example, meningitis, sepsis, septic arthritis.

Without treatment, gonococcal conjunctivitis causes corneal ulceration and perforation, leading to blindness.

Treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns is carried out by a pediatrician or neonatologist. Discharge from the eyes is taken for laboratory tests to identify the pathogen. Antibiotics are prescribed, such as Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime. Good eye hygiene is also necessary: ​​rinsing with saline every hour until the exudative discharge ceases to be produced.

Antibiotics for conjunctivitis

Chlamydial conjunctivitis

It tends to appear a little later than gonococcal. Typically, the symptomatic picture develops between 5-14 days of life. Severity ranges from mild conjunctival redness with minimal watery discharge to severe redness and swelling with purulent discharge. The lesion can be unilateral or bilateral. In 10-20% of cases it may be due to extra-ocular infections, for example, pneumonia.

In this case, a chest x-ray is prescribed to rule out the presence of pneumonia or pneumonitis. Erythromycin and Azithromycin are prescribed. Diagnostic tests for chlamydia should be performed. If necessary, the course of taking macrolides is repeated.

What to do if a baby’s eye is festering, watch the video:

Conjunctivitis in adults

Conjunctivitis in older children and adults occurs in the following variants: viral and bacterial.

Viral conjunctivitis

Acute or subacute onset is typical. The eyes become inflamed and red, with a thin, clear discharge. The lesion is usually bilateral. The pain is not severe, it may be itching. There is often a history of contact with a person who suffers from a viral pathology. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can be difficult to distinguish from bacterial conjunctivitis.

Types of conjunctivitis:

1. Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis caused by adenovirus. Characterized by the rapid appearance of inflammation and red eye syndrome with a sensation of a foreign body, burning, itching, and photophobia. There is swelling with large oval follicles within the conjunctiva. Among the accompanying conditions may be pharyngitis. Contagious for ten days after symptoms appear.
2. Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. Caused by enterovirus or Coxsackie virus. It can become epidemic in school-age children and young people. Characterized by a rapid onset with severe pain in the orbital region, photophobia, blurred vision, swelling of the eyelids, and lacrimation. In some cases, there may be subconjunctival hemorrhages or punctate keratitis. Eye discharge is usually watery at first, but then becomes purulent if a secondary bacterial infection occurs. There may be fever and pharyngitis. Recovery with proper treatment requires 7-14 days.

No tests are usually prescribed. Eye and hand hygiene is recommended to prevent the formation of purulent discharge and the spread of infection. Cool compresses are prescribed to relieve symptoms. When a bacterial component is attached, Chloramphenicol is prescribed. For hydration - artificial tears every hour. You need to see a doctor urgently if there are visual impairments that do not get better within 2 days, and the symptoms worsen.

Types of conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis

The most common causes are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus and Moraxella spp. The severity of the infection can range from moderate to severe with copious purulent discharge. Pain and itching are minor. Visual acuity remains normal. The cornea and anterior chamber are not involved in the process. The pathology may begin in one eye and then spread to the other. For diagnosis, doctors take a standard bacterial smear to determine the pathogen.

Good eye hygiene is recommended, rinsing with saline or water to prevent accumulation of secretions.

You should wash your hands every time after touching your eyes to prevent spread. It is also recommended to change pillowcases and towels more often. Drops of “Chloramphenicol 0.5%” are prescribed for 5 days.

You should urgently consult an ophthalmologist in cases where there is damage to vision or involvement of the cornea, if there is no improvement or worsening is observed after 2 days, if symptoms persist after 5 days of treatment.

Allergic conjunctivitis

In most cases, an allergic reaction results in colorless or white discharge. But sometimes when an infection occurs, there may be green discharge. Conjunctivitis can also develop as a result of allergies.

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis may include:

• Red eyes;
• itching or burning;
• swelling and swelling of the eyelids;
• white, clear or green discharge;
• tearfulness.

May be misdiagnosed as infectious conjunctivitis. Usually characterized by bilateral intense itching and profuse watery discharge. As a rule, there is no pain. Redness of the conjunctiva and swelling of the eyelids can be quite pronounced. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a more aggressive form of allergy that most often occurs in young boys during the warmer months.

Testing is usually not necessary. If the allergen is known, then you need to stop contact with it. Mast cell stabilizers (Patanol, Lomid) are prescribed for continuous use, as well as antihistamines for the period of exacerbation (Livostin). To soften the mucous membranes, you can drip artificial tears.

Treatment

To successfully treat purulent eye infections in children, you first need to establish its cause. If purulent discharge is detected, the organs of vision should be carefully examined. Perhaps the cause is a speck or foreign body, around which the infectious-inflammatory process unfolds.

In the case of detection, if the object is on the surface of the eye without penetrating its membranes, you can remove it yourself. Rinse your eyes with boiled water or a very pale solution of potassium permanganate; you can also use saline sodium chloride solution or artificial tears eye drops. What to do if they are not at hand? You can use chamomile decoction or unflavored tea leaves.

An aqueous solution of furatsilin is suitable for eye treatment.

After the speck is removed, in order to prevent the further development of the infectious process, children can be instilled with the antiseptic drug Okomistin (Miramistin), Vitabact, and sulfonamide drops Albucid (sodium sulfacyl).

For ordinary uncomplicated infections, therapy is empirical. That is, they try to use drugs with the widest possible spectrum of action, with established activity against the most well-known causative agents of conjunctivitis. After consulting with a doctor and prescribing medications, such infections can be treated at home.

Washing

First of all, you need to create conditions for normal contact of drugs with the conjunctiva. This is hampered by pus and crusts that form when it dries. For the purpose of hygienic care and before instilling drops or applying ointment, the eyes should be washed. Crusts are easily removed with cotton swabs soaked in an aqueous solution of boric acid (half a teaspoon of powder is diluted in 250 milliliters of warm boiled water) or a solution of furatsilin (two tablets are dissolved in boiling water). Movements when removing pus should be from the inner corner of the eye to the outer. Be careful not to rinse both eyes with the same cotton swab. This procedure will need to be carried out every two hours in the first few days of the disease.

Eye ointments

What to treat next? Antibacterial drops and ointments are used to fight infection. Drops are more convenient to use, but children tolerate ointments better because they sting the eyes less. In terms of therapeutic effect, both dosage forms are equivalent.

A specialist should select medications depending on the age of the child. Children can be given erythromycin ophthalmic or tetracycline ointment, as well as Tobrex.

Erythromycin ointment is effective for mild forms of bacterial conjunctivitis, as well as in the case of atypical pathogens - Mycoplasma, Legionella, Chlamydia and some Mycobacterium.

Ophthalmic antibiotics

Antibiotic eye drops are usually given one drop three to four times a day. To cure bacterial uncomplicated conjunctivitis, instill them for at least five to seven days. A shorter period does not guarantee complete victory over the pathogen and contributes to the formation of their resistance.

In pediatrics, the antibacterial drugs Trimethoprim are used in combination with Polymyxin B - Oriprim eye drops; sulfonamides (Sulfacyl sodium 20%). They are relatively inexpensive but effective. Please note that sodium sulfacyl can cause severe irritation and a burning sensation in the eyes.

Aminoglycosides are drugs with a broad spectrum of action. Babies can take them from the first year of life, so many children are prescribed Tobrex, Tobrimed, Tobrin, especially since Tobrex exists in the form of an eye ointment.

Ointment and drops have equal therapeutic activity

Fluoroquinolones, in terms of their safety and effectiveness, today take first place in the treatment of purulent eye diseases in children. Ciprofloxacin (Ciprinol drops, Alox, Floximed, Ciloxan, Tsiprolet, Cipropharm) and ofloxacin (Floxal drops and ointment) have a wide spectrum of activity, including, among other things, pseudomonas and Haemophilus influenzae. Fourth generation fluoroquinolones have increased activity against strains resistant to quinolone, especially Staphylococcus aureus, as well as against penicillin and macrolide resistant strains.

Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) and levofloxacin (Oftaquix) drops are approved for use in children up to one year of age for the empirical treatment of purulent eye discharge, as well as established chlamydial or Haemophilus influenzae infections.

The main thing in using antibacterial drops is to adhere to their application schedule in order to constantly maintain a germ-inhibiting concentration.

Additional measures

To restore the protective properties of the mucous membranes of the eye, the child may be prescribed moisturizing drops, as well as drugs that stimulate the production of nonspecific local immunity.

Moisturizing drops that children can use are Systane, Visine pure tear, Artificial tears, Vidisik, Vita-Pos. When the cornea is sufficiently moisturized, it is more resistant to bacterial infection or the formation of microdamages.

Drops that increase the protective properties of the eyes contain interferons and their inducers. In childhood, Okoferon and Oftalmoferon can be safely used. The production of one's own protective proteins is stimulated by the drugs Atipol and Poludan.

Such drugs are prescribed as an addition to the main antibacterial therapy.

The success of treatment depends not only on the use of the right drugs. It is also important to maintain eye hygiene, do not allow your child to touch them with his hands, constantly change the tampons you use to wipe your eyes, and do not touch the cornea with the nose of the bottle when instilling it.

It is necessary to establish good nutrition and introduce additional vitamin complexes. You can also use systemic immunomodulatory drugs: Immunal, Likopid, Amiksin, Imudon, Aloe preparations, Timalin.

Note!

Any eye infection in children, especially if pus appears, requires examination by a specialist and adequate treatment.

You should urgently consult a doctor in the following cases: purulent discharge from the eyes continues for more than two days, and there is no improvement; the child's age is less than 1 year; your baby has a fear of light; the older child complains of eye pain or blurred vision; the eyelids begin to quickly swell and increase in size; the temperature rises sharply, and the general condition worsens.

Purulent discharge appearing in the corners of children’s eyes is not an isolated phenomenon. And, although the appearance of pus in itself is not very dangerous, the lack of treatment can cause complications in the form of various eye pathologies. That is why, as soon as parents notice discharge from the eye, which is red and itchy, it is necessary to contact an ophthalmologist. The specialist will identify the cause of the disease and prescribe treatment that can be done at home.

Periorbital inflammation

This is an infectious process in the eyelids and periorbital structures located in front of the orbital septum. Typically occurs as a result of the spread of bacterial infection from the upper respiratory tract (especially the paranasal sinuses) or extraocular structures. It can also appear as a result of injury or an insect bite. More common in young children (average age 2 years). The causative agents are Staph aureus, Strep pyogenes and Strep pneumoniae, H. Influenzae.

Symptoms:

• redness and swelling of the eyelids, adjacent soft tissues, including on the forehead; the eyelid may be swollen.
• severe pain and increased sensitivity;
• itching and lack of pain as a symptom of a local reaction to an insect bite;
• almost all cases are unilateral (bilateral involvement may indicate another etiology: viral, allergic or generalized edema);
• may be accompanied by conjunctivitis with green discharge from the eyes.

Eye movements remain painless, the quality of vision does not suffer. Bacterial cultures are prescribed, especially if there is purulent discharge. Treatment is carried out with the following antibiotics: Cefuroxime, Augmentin, Cephalosporin, Clindomycin, Cephalexin, Erythmomycin. Intravenous administration is usually required. For mild cases of the disease, treatment at home with oral antibiotics is allowed.

A child’s eye is festering - the main reasons

When the eye becomes inflamed and pus appears in it, parents and the doctor must first identify the cause of the pathology, which may be:

1. Conjunctivitis
   is the most common cause of eye infections. In this disease, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed and red, the eyelid swells, and pus is released from the eye. Conjunctivitis can occur from a virus, bacteria, or allergens.
2. with chlamydia
   at birth.
3. Viruses
   : adenovirus, herpes, measles, ARVI, influenza.
4. Bacteria
   : pneumococci, meningococci, streptococci, staphylococci.
5. Dacryocystitis occurs in newborn babies due to blockage of the lacrimal canal
   . If after birth the baby’s protective film does not break through and the plug does not come out of the canal, then an infection begins to develop.
6. Untreated sinusitis, colds, measles, adenoiditis, sore throat
   .
7. Allergens
   in the form of dust, animal hair, odors, pollen.
8. Unsterile medical instruments
   or
   infection through the birth canal
   can be one of the causes of inflammation and rotting of the eyes in newborns.
9. Weakened immunity
   .
10. Failure to comply with hygiene rules
    . Dirt and infection get in if a child rubs his eyes with unwashed hands.

To prescribe treatment, it is necessary to identify the cause of the problem in the child by consulting a doctor. Based on symptoms and tests, he will make an accurate diagnosis.

First aid

What to do if a child’s eye is festering, but there is no way to see a doctor?

In this case, parents should know how and with what they can help their baby at home:

Before each procedure, parents must wash their hands with soap. Only well-washed pipettes and sterile swabs should be used. You can make them from sterile cotton wool purchased at the pharmacy.

Continuing to treat your eyes on your own is contraindicated if:

• a blister appeared on the upper eyelid;
• the baby began to see worse;
• the child complains of pain in the eyes;
• there are symptoms of photophobia;
• the eyes fester for more than two days, and there is no improvement with help.

Drug treatment

After making a diagnosis, the specialist prescribes treatment, which is also based on the individual characteristics of the child.

Infectious conjunctivitis is treated with drops of Eubital, Levomycetin, Vitabact, Colbiotsin. Some children tolerate ointments better, so Tetracycline, Erythromycin or Torbex ointment can be used.

Adenoviral conjunctivitis should be treated with florenel ointment or 25% tebrofen ointment and interferon.

If a child’s eyes water and fester mainly in the spring, then most likely the cause is allergens. In this case, antihistamine drops Allergodil, Spersallerg, Lecrolin, Allergoftal, Diphenhydramine in solution should be used. Boosting your child’s immunity will help get rid of allergies.

Herpetic conjunctivitis is treated with acyclovir. Both eye ointment and oral tablets are used.

Eye massage for dacryocystitis

With this pathology, drops and rinsing will not bring the necessary therapeutic result. First, the film should be removed, which can be done with a special massage. The technique of its implementation must be shown by a doctor, after which the massage can be performed independently.

Before performing a massage, wash your hands well with soap. Make sure your nails are cut short. Using a finger in an up and down direction, with slight pressure, but very gently, massage the inside of the eye. In one session you should do from six to ten movements. If the pus begins to stand out more strongly, it means that the manipulation is being carried out correctly.

If it was not possible to cope with the pathology in the first six months of the baby’s life, then probing of the lacrimal canal is necessary, which is carried out in a hospital setting.

Mechanical damage to the eye

Inflammation and suppuration can occur if a mechanical particle gets into the baby’s eye:

• eyelash;
• fly or other insect;
• cotton wool or fabric fibers;
• chemical splashes;
• splashes of hot oil;
• plastic flake;
• a piece of glass;
• metal or wood shavings.

In this case, first aid is required:

1. The inflamed eye is washed with saline solution, a decoction of chamomile, calendula or warm black tea. If you have a solution for soft contact lenses, you can use it.
2. It is necessary to determine whether a foreign body has come out of the eye.
3. If it is impossible to independently determine the extent of the damage, then the child urgently needs to be shown to a specialist who will examine the eye using special equipment.

A swelling on the eyelid caused by infection of the eyelash follicles that leads to the formation of pus is called a stye.

.
The bacterial infection enters the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which are located near the eyelashes. In mild cases, barley goes away on its own. But if the child has a weakened immune system, then it can develop into a boil
. Two or three days after the eyelid becomes red and swollen, the eye begins to fester.

Under no circumstances should you squeeze out pus or open a stye. It must ripen itself and release dead cells. That is why his treatment is aimed at accelerating the process. For this it is recommended:

1. Apply compresses of warm mashed potatoes wrapped in a wide bandage or clean gauze. Keep it until it cools down.
2. Dry heat is very effective in treating barley. You can consult a doctor to prescribe a course of UHF for your child.
3. The eyelid must be treated with antibacterial drugs - 1% Erythromycin, Tetracycline ointment or Ciprofloxicin. Albucid is instilled into the eye.
4. Several times a day, compresses are made from warm chamomile infusion. To do this, moisten a cotton pad or swab and apply it for 5–7 minutes.
5. You can use flaxseed, 2 tbsp. l. which is heated in a frying pan, poured into a clean bag and applied to the eye for 7-10 minutes five times a day.

Warming the stye must be used very carefully, since with this method of treatment it can open and infect the eye. Therefore, if a stye appears on the eye, it is better to take a child to a specialist.

Parents must remember that the baby's health is in their hands. Therefore, at the first appearance of symptoms of eye inflammation, you should consult a doctor. Only in this case, treatment of the disease will not take much time and will not cause complications.

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Parents often notice an accumulation of purulent discharge in the corners of the eyes in their children. This symptom is quite dangerous, as it may indicate the presence of a certain illness. It needs to be treated immediately at the initial stage, before serious complications arise. The doctor will be able to prescribe treatment only after he can understand what led to the development of such unpleasant symptoms.

Causes of discharge from the eyes

Typically, eye discharge is not a warning sign, but if you notice an unusual consistency, color, or amount of discharge, it may indicate an infection or eye disease.

Common eye conditions with abnormal eye discharge include:

Conjunctivitis. Eye discharge is a common symptom of conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the thin membrane lining the “white” of the eye (sclera) and the inner surface of the eyelids.

In addition to itching, stinging, irritation and redness of the eyes, conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by the discharge of white, yellow or green mucus, which can form a crust along the eyelash line while you sleep. In some cases, the crust that forms on the eyelid can be so dense that it does not allow you to open your eyes.

There are three types of conjunctivitis:

Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and is caused by the common cold or herpes simplex virus. Eye discharge from viral conjunctivitis is usually clear and watery and may include white or yellowish mucus.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis, as the name suggests, is caused by a bacterial infection. If not treated promptly, it can pose a threat to vision. The eye discharge from bacterial conjunctivitis is usually thicker and purulent (pus-like) than from viral conjunctivitis, and is usually yellow, green, or even gray in color. In the morning after sleep, patients often cannot open their eyelids, which are completely glued together by secretions.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by allergens - pollen, dandruff, dust and other common irritants that cause eye allergies. It can also be caused by an allergic reaction to chemical pollutants, cosmetics, contact lens solutions, and eye drops. With allergic conjunctivitis, the discharge from the eyes is usually watery. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and always affects both eyes.

Symptom Definition

When a child’s eyes fester, it is most often caused by some kind of disease. It is characterized by the following clinical picture

:

• increased secretion of tear fluid;
• hyperemia of the mucous membrane;
• photophobia;
• purulent, which do not allow the eye to fully open in the morning;
• film on the mucous membrane that cannot be removed at home;
• swelling of the eyelid;
• blisters on the edges of the eyelids;
• sore throat, runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever;
• runny nose and itchy eyes;
• burning and pain in the eyes;
• formation of yellow crusts;
• irritability and moodiness;
• poor appetite and sleep;
• deterioration of visual acuity.

Each child’s body reacts differently, so the pathological process can manifest itself in different ways. But if at least one of the above symptoms occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diseases

Among the pathologies diagnosed with discharge from the organs of vision are:

1. Bacterial conjunctivitis, fungal keratitis, trachoma, herpes. The mucus is viscous, yellow, greenish or brownish. The secretions form a film on the periphery of the eyeball.
2. >Blepharitis. The secretion has a foamy structure, green or yellowish. Crusts form, swelling appears, and the skin of the eyelids itches.
3. Colds, viral pathologies. The mucus is white and immediately comes out of one eye, then from both.
4. >Dacryocystitis. Accompanied by the release of a large amount of yellow mucus, accumulating in the cavity of the organ of vision.
5. Allergic conjunctivitis. As the pathology develops, liquid, transparent mucus is released, which disappears after the allergen is eliminated.

Causes

There are many reasons why purulent discharge appears from the eye. Often this symptom is associated with an infection that is transmitted from mother to child during childbirth.

In such children, already on the 3rd day after birth, pus begins to come out of the eye. In this case, it is important to understand which pathogen influenced the development of the infection.

Microorganisms.

The main reasons for the development of purulent discharge from the eye in a child include:

1. Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.
   This includes staphylococci or streptococci. They focus on the skin of each person. But the immune system copes well with this pathogenic microflora. But if the immune system is weakened, this leads to the development of an infectious process.
2. Fungi.
   Most often, purulent discharge develops against the background of candidiasis.
3. Lack of hygiene.
   The baby needs to be washed properly using a wet cotton swab.
4. Viruses.
   If there is a viral infection, then in addition to purulent discharge, children also have a runny nose. In a child under 6 years of age, the duct between the eyes and nose is short, so the formation of snot leads to conjunctivitis.
5. Impaired patency of the lacrimal canal.
   This process is observed in newborns. To restore patency, it is necessary to use massage or surgery.

Orbital inflammation

It is a bacterial infection of the soft tissue of the orbit, located behind the orbital septum. Pathogens can be S aureus, S pneumoniae, S pyogenes, H influenzae, M catarrhalis and anaerobic microbes. There is a combination of several pathogens.

May involve extraocular muscles, sensory and motor nerves, and the optic nerve. Increased intraocular pressure can lead to blindness. A dangerous complication in the form of infection spreading into the skull can be fatal.

The causes of orbital inflammation are infection of the paranasal sinuses or teeth, penetrating injury to the eye, and hematogenous introduction of bacteria from other inflammatory areas of the body. Orbital inflammation most often occurs in people over 12 years of age.

Patients complain of redness of the eyelid, swelling, and there may be green discharge from the eye. The lesion is most often unilateral. Pain is felt inside the eye, vision deteriorates. Body temperature is increased. If vomiting, severe headache, neck tension, or photophobia appear, this may indicate involvement of brain structures in the process.

If there is purulent discharge, a smear is taken for examination. A computed tomography scan of the head is performed to identify sinusitis and retrobulbar abscess.

Treatment is provided by ophthalmologists, ENT doctors, and infectious disease specialists. If necessary, surgical intervention is performed to drain the abscess. Treatment is carried out with antibiotics: Cefotaxime, Flucloxacillin.

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