Pink Eye in Babies: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Pink eye in babies can cause redness, swelling, discomfort, and watery, yellow, or green discharge. Pink eye in newborns can be serious and should be evaluated by a doctor right away, as it differs from pink eye in older babies and toddlers.

Pink eye in babies is usually diagnosed based on symptoms and an eye exam, and treatment depends on the cause. Viral cases often improve with supportive care, while bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis may require eye drops, ointments, or allergy medications.

Keeping the eyes clean and practicing good hand hygiene can help reduce the spread of infectious pink eye in babies. Newborns also receive preventive eye care after birth to reduce the risk of certain serious bacterial eye infections.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of conjunctivitis in babies include:

• Itchy and/or red eyes

• Excessive eye discharge, which may be watery, green, or yellow

• Mild swelling of the eyelids

• Eyelids that stick together, especially after waking up

• Eye discomfort

With viral conjunctivitis in particular, symptoms usually start in one eye and may spread to the other eye after 1 to 2 days.

Depending on the cause of conjunctivitis, the baby may also have other symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, or swollen lymph nodes.

Confirming a diagnosis

In most cases, conjunctivitis in babies is diagnosed by a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist based on the baby's symptoms and an eye examination.

Possible causes

Conjunctivitis in babies can be caused by:

• Eye infections caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi

• Allergies triggered by pollen, mold, or dust, for example

• Side effects from certain eye drops, which can cause eye irritation

A blocked tear duct can sometimes be mistaken for conjunctivitis in babies because it can cause similar symptoms, such as watery or yellowish eye discharge. It is important for a healthcare provider to identify the cause.

Treatment options

Treatment for conjunctivitis in babies should be recommended by a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist based on the type of conjunctivitis:

1. Bacterial conjunctivitis

In most cases, bacterial conjunctivitis in babies gets better without specific treatment within about 7 to 10 days. However, in some cases, antibiotic eye drops or ointments may be needed to treat the infection.

It is also important to keep the baby's eyes clean and free of discharge, as a buildup of secretions can encourage bacterial growth and delay recovery.

2. Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is usually treated with supportive care, including gently cleaning discharge from around the baby's eyes with a clean, damp cloth or sterile saline solution.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases clear up on their own within 7 to 14 days, although some may take 2 to 3 weeks or longer to resolve.

A doctor may also recommend lubricating eye drops, commonly called artificial tears, to help relieve eye irritation and discomfort.

3. Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis in babies may be treated with lubricating eye drops and, in some cases, allergy medications. These medications can help control the immune system's allergic reaction and relieve symptoms.

It is also important to avoid possible allergy triggers, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust, to help control conjunctivitis symptoms.

Care tips

Some precautions recommended when treating conjunctivitis in babies include:

• Keep the baby's eyes clean by gently wiping away discharge with a clean, wet washcloth, gauze, or cotton ball, using a fresh one for each eye.
• Wash your hands before and after cleaning the baby's eyes, and wash the baby's hands regularly.
• Do not share towels, washcloths, pillows, or other personal items, and wash used towels, washcloths, pillowcases, and bedding frequently.
• Keep the baby home from daycare if they have a fever, feel unwell, cannot comfortably participate in normal activities, or if their healthcare provider or daycare recommends it.

These precautions can help prevent infectious conjunctivitis from spreading from one eye to the other or to other people. They should be followed along with any treatment recommended by the baby's healthcare provider.

Prevention measures

Prevention of certain eye infections is especially important in newborns. According to the CDC, erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment is recommended in both eyes shortly after birth to help prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.