The conjunctivitis can occur in childhood or adulthood. However, children may be more vulnerable to infection due to hygiene habits and the immune system.
Symptoms include eye discharge, excessive swelling, watering, irritation (burning or itching) and blurred vision.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses or even allergies, each of which must be treated differently. But, in general, the use of eye drops is indicated to combat the problem.
In this article, we will talk about the main eye drops that can be used on children, prescribed by specialist ophthalmologists.
Contents
Which eye drops is indicated for childhood conjunctivitis?
As there are several types of conjunctivitis (bacterial, viral and allergic), the best person to answer this question is an ophthalmologist or pediatrician who will be able to analyze each case and prescribe a medication based on the patient’s current clinical condition.
Find out more about the possible causes of conjunctivitis and what is the recommended eye drops for each situation:
Bacterial
This type of conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria and can be transmitted by contaminated secretion.
Eye drops to treat this disease must include antibiotics in their formulas, as is the case with the following remedies:
- Maxitrol : based on (neomycin and polymyxin B) with dexamethasone (corticoid);
- Tobrex: antibiotic based on tobramycin;
- Biamotil : ciprofloxacin-based antibiotic;
- Chloramphenicol : medicine based on the active ingredient chloramphenicol;
- Polipred : medication based on Neomycin Sulfate + Polymyxin B Sulfate + Prednisolone Acetate.
Viral
The viral conjunctivitis is the most common type. As its name says, it is transmitted by a group of viruses called adenovirus (they are responsible for the flu , bronchitis , pneumonia and other diseases).
The main children’s eye drops for this condition are:
- Flumex : is a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory based on Fluormetolone Acetate;
- Dexafenicol : this remedy is anti- allergic , anti-inflammatory and anti-infective based on Chloramphenicol + Dexamethasone;
- Moura Brasil : eye drops based on Naphazoline Hydrochloride and Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate;
- Lacribell : ocular lubricant based on Dextran and Hypromellose.
Allergic
This type of conjunctivitis manifests itself when something that causes irritation (allergenic) comes into contact with the eyes.
The most common allergens are dust, pollen, animal hair, mold, etc.
In such cases, the eye drops must be of the type that treats allergies , such as Zaditen or Patanol S , both indicated for children over 3 years old.
Since allergic conjunctivitis involves not only the eyes, but also the entire immune system that is inflamed, it is possible that there are other medications besides eye drops for the treatment of this condition.
Read more: Eye drops for allergy: what are the options?
What eye drops for conjunctivitis in a baby?
There are several types of conjunctivitis and each requires a different treatment. Therefore, an ophthalmologist or pediatrician is the professional who can indicate which eye drops are ideal for each situation.
There is also a very common practice in newborns, which consists of dripping silver nitrate into the baby’s eyes.
This is done to prevent gonococcal conjunctivitis that can be transmitted to the baby during delivery by contact with the vaginal canal of a woman with gonorrhea .
The big controversy is that silver nitrate when it comes into contact with the baby’s eyes tends to cause a reaction called chemical conjunctivitis.
That is, when using this substance a conjunctivitis is induced in the newborn to protect him from another type of eye infection.
In certain places, when the mother is able to prove that she does not have gonorrhea or other bacterial diseases, before delivery, she is able to sign a term that prevents the application of silver nitrate when the baby is born.
Can I use saline in the baby’s eye?
Saline can be used to clean the baby’s eyes. Just put a little of this substance in a gauze and wipe it gently on the outer region of the eyes.
Another precaution that should be taken is not to use the same gauze in both eyes. The ideal is to always change it to prevent infections from spreading further.
If there are no medical recommendations to the contrary, this ophthalmic cleaning can be done during the child’s first year, even if the child is not sick.
How to apply?
Those who live with children know that it is not always easy to do tasks that, at first, seem so simple (applying the eye drops correctly is one of them).
To make this moment easier, here are some tips:
Never forget to wash your hands before opening the medicine, check how many drops should be applied and in which eye the medicine has to be dripped.
If the child is old enough, talk to him. Say that the eye drops will help to improve the discomfort and that if she cooperates, the process will be easier and faster.
If necessary, stage for the little one what will happen. Making gestures, drawings or even showing videos can help the child understand how he should act during the application.
Lay the child down or find a position in which he feels comfortable. Avoid applying eye drops in hectic or noisy environments, as this tends to make the child nervous.
She can keep a toy, scarf or cloth, if that makes her more comfortable. However, avoid other distractions such as electronic devices that may end up taking the focus away.
After the application, if all goes well, praise the child’s courage and say that he need not be afraid to do it again.
If the child still doesn’t want to collaborate, the safest option is:
- Ask him / her to close their eyes;
- Drop the eye drops in the inner corner;
- Ask the little one to open his eyes;
- Prevent him / her from placing a hand on the spot or blinking excessively.
In case of doubt, read the package leaflet or seek medical or pharmaceutical advice.
In various types of conjunctivitis, contagion is done through contact with infected eye secretions. Therefore, be careful not to get the disease when you are taking care of the child.
Price
The price of eyedrops can vary according to a series of factors such as region, brand, amount of Ll in each bottle and even the chain of pharmacies that are selling the product.
In general, the values vary between R $ 10 and R $ 45 *.
Price comparison sites, such as Consulta Remédios , can help when making budgets and researching the best place to buy eye drops.
* Average price researched at Consulta Remédios in January 2020. Prices may change.
Eye drops for conjunctivitis can help your child get a significant improvement regardless of the type and stage of this disease.
To find out exactly which treatment is most suitable for each case, look for a pediatrician or ophthalmologist.
The newsroom of Hickey solution brings other information on child health . Check out our posts.
