Causes of pink eyes:

• Bacterial or viral infection.
• Allergic reaction.
• Chemicals.
• Incompletely opened tear duct (dacryostenosis)
• Foreign body in eyes.
• Trauma to the eyes.
• Acute glaucoma.
• Iritis.
• Eye irritants like smog, fumes, chlorinated pools, contact lens.

Symptoms:

• Redness of eyes.
• Itching.
• Swelling of eyes.
• Discharge from eyes.
• Watering of eye.

Bacterial conjunctivitis: It is the most common type. The symptoms are redness, yellow-green discharge from eyes, matting of eyes, burning sensation in the eye, photophobia and itching. The common bacteria causing the bacterial conjunctivitis are Hemophilus influenza. Treatment includes antibiotic ointment or drops like tobramycin, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin and sulphonamides.

Viral conjunctivitis: They are usually associated with colds. It is contagious.

Allergic conjunctivitis: Occur due to exposure to allergens. The main feature of this is itching. Treated with anti-histamines and decongestants. Cold compression may relieve the symptom.

Chemical conjunctivitis: it can occur due to chemical injuries. You need to rush the child to the hospital immediately. Wash the yes with clean and cold water.

Risk factors:

Risk factors for pink eye include:

• Exposure to an allergen for allergic conjunctivitis
• Exposure to someone infected with the viral or bacterial form of conjunctivitis.

Prevention of red eye:

• Don't touch your eyes with your hands.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
• Change your towel and washcloth daily, and don't share them with others.
• Change your pillowcase often.
• Discard eye cosmetics, particularly mascara.
• Don't use anyone else's eye cosmetics or personal eye-care items.
• Follow your eye doctor's instructions on proper contact lens care.

When to seek medical help:

• If the child has unusually red, itchy or watery eyes.
• Puffy or swollen eyes.
• Thick, sticky, yellowish discharge.
• Crusting of eye lids.
• Sticky of both eye lids.
• Blurring of vision or loss of vision.
• Swelling or redness of lower eye lid