Causes of red eyes in children

Eyes are our main sensory organs. If there is a problem with our eyes, it will not only make us feel uncomfortable but also easily affect our vision. Therefore, we recommend that everyone pay attention to protecting their eyes in daily life, and seek timely treatment if there is a problem with the eyes. Children's eyes are prone to various problems. Below we will introduce the reasons why children's eyes turn red.

The most common pink eye condition is conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which can be caused by infection or allergies.

The eyes may also turn red after direct contact with an irritant. The most common problem is that some children experience red eyes and sore eyes after swimming. This is because the chlorine in the swimming pool water irritates the eyes. After taking a shower or shedding some tears, let the chlorine flow out of your eyes and the red eyes will disappear. Sometimes, red eyes can also be caused by eyelashes, dust, or even small flies getting into the eyes. Red eyes can also occur if the eyes are scratched.

Eye stickiness is very common in newborn babies and is sometimes accompanied by red eyes. The eyes secrete yellow, sticky pus all night long, and may even cause the eyelids to stick together the next day. At this time, you can wipe it carefully with cotton wool dipped in warm water. When wiping, wipe from the inner corner of the eye to the outer side. Newborns with sticky eyes generally do not need antibiotic eye drops unless the whites of the eyes are also red or inflamed.

If the eyelids are inflamed or infected instead of the conjunctiva, it is called blepharitis. The incidence of iritis in children is relatively low.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis depend mainly on the cause. All conjunctivitis causes redness of the conjunctiva, primarily on the white of the eye and inner eyelid. Conjunctivitis caused by infection may also be accompanied by discharge, especially in the early morning, and the eyes may feel sticky and gritty.

Conjunctivitis caused by allergies causes itching and redness of the eyes, but without the sticky or gritty feeling. Allergic conjunctivitis is often a symptom of hay fever or perennial rhinitis and may be accompanied by a runny and stuffy nose. Children with allergic conjunctivitis often have co-existing conditions such as eczema or asthma, which often run in the family.

Sometimes you may find that the whites of your child's eyes are slightly redder than other parts of the body. This is usually due to conjunctival congestion. Conjunctival hyperemia is not as serious as you might think; it is caused by a sudden rise in blood pressure that ruptures small blood vessels in the conjunctiva. Coughing, sneezing, shouting, eye injuries, and straining during bowel movements due to constipation can all cause a sudden increase in blood pressure. Conjunctival congestion is not a big deal. It will disappear on its own after a period of time without leaving any sequelae.

Another cause of red eyes is iritis. Its symptoms are somewhat special: the red area is very close to the iris, and the child's pupil looks smaller than that of normal children. Iritis can also cause eye pain and blurred vision; take your child to the doctor right away if these symptoms occur. Generally, children are less likely to develop iritis, and if it is detected early, it is relatively easy to treat. However, if treatment is delayed, it may lead to lifelong sequelae.

In the above article, we introduced the importance of eyes to us. We recommend that readers pay attention to protecting their eyes in daily life. Children’s eyes sometimes appear red. The above article introduces in detail the reasons why children’s eyes are red.