Conjunctivitis (Red Eye) in Children: Causes, Homecare, and Treatment

Quick Answer

Yes, conjunctivitis (aankh aana or pink eye) is very common in children and usually heals on its own within 7-10 days. Don’t panic if your child wakes up with red, sticky eyes - in most cases, it’s not serious. However, newborns under 4 weeks need immediate medical attention for any eye redness.

What Causes Conjunctivitis (Aankh Aana)?

Conjunctivitis means inflammation of the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye. There are three main causes:

1. Viral Conjunctivitis (Sabse Common)

• Often comes with cold, cough, or fever

• Both eyes usually affected

• Watery discharge

• Highly contagious - spreads through schools and families 2. Bacterial Conjunctivitis

• Thick yellow or green discharge (aankh se pus)

• Eyes stuck shut in morning with crust

• May affect one or both eyes

• Also contagious 3. Allergic Conjunctivitis

• Both eyes affected

• Intense itching (bahut khujli)

• Watery eyes

• Often with sneezing, runny nose

• Common during season changes (pollution, pollen)

• NOT contagious Age-Specific Information:

Age	Special Considerations
Newborn (0-4 weeks)	Any eye discharge is serious - could be from birth canal infection. See doctor immediately
Infants (1-12 months)	Blocked tear duct can look like conjunctivitis. Usually one eye, no redness, just watering
Toddlers (1-3 years)	Most likely to spread infection by touching everything. Very contagious in daycare
School-age (4+ years)	Common to catch from classmates. May need to stay home until discharge stops

Symptoms to Watch For (Lakshan)

• Aankh laal hona - Redness in white part of eye
• Aankh se paani ya pus aana - Watery or thick discharge
• Subah aankh chipakna - Eyes stuck shut with crust in morning
• Khujli - Itching (especially in allergic type)
• Roshni se taklif - Sensitivity to light
• Aankh mein kuch girne jaisa lagana - Gritty feeling
• Palkein sooji hui - Swollen eyelids

Home Remedies (Gharelu Upchar)

Cleaning the Eyes (Aankh Saaf Karna)

What You Need:

• Clean cotton balls (one for each eye)

• Cooled boiled water OR normal saline How to Clean:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap

• Dip cotton ball in clean water

• Gently wipe from inner corner (near nose) to outer corner

• Use fresh cotton ball for each wipe

• Use separate cotton for each eye

• Do this 3-4 times daily Important: Always wipe outward, never toward the nose!

Other Home Care:

• Cold compress - Clean cloth dipped in cold water on closed eyes (for allergic type - reduces itching)
• Warm compress - For crusty eyes, helps loosen the discharge
• Keep child hydrated - Plenty of water, coconut water, nimbu paani
• Rest - Adequate sleep helps healing

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t use kajal or surma - Can worsen infection
• Don’t share towels - Use separate towel for affected child
• Don’t rub eyes - Teach child to avoid touching eyes
• Don’t use leftover eye drops - Old drops can be contaminated
• Don’t put breast milk in eyes - Not scientifically proven, may introduce bacteria

When to See a Doctor (Doctor Ke Paas Kab Jayein)

Seek IMMEDIATE care if:

• Baby is less than 4 weeks old (any eye discharge)

• Severe pain in eye

• Vision changes - child can’t see clearly

• Pus is greenish and very thick

• Fever with eye infection

• Swelling spreading to cheek or around eye

• Child seems very unwell

• Light causes severe pain Schedule appointment if:

• No improvement after 3-4 days of home care

• Discharge continues more than a week

• Symptoms keep coming back

• Both eyes have heavy discharge

• Child wears contact lenses

Treatment Options (Ilaaj)

Treatment depends on the cause:

For Viral Conjunctivitis:

• Usually no medicine needed

• Self-limiting (7-10 din mein theek)

• Clean eyes regularly

• Antibiotic drops don’t help (it’s a virus, not bacteria) For Bacterial Conjunctivitis:

• Antibiotic eye drops or ointment

• Usually prescribed for 5-7 days

• Continue full course even if better

• Common medicines: Moxifloxacin drops, Tobramycin drops For Allergic Conjunctivitis:

• Antihistamine eye drops

• Cold compresses for relief

• Avoid allergens if known

• May need oral antihistamine How to Put Eye Drops in Children:

• Wash hands

• Lay child down or have them look up

• Gently pull down lower eyelid

• Put drop in the pocket formed

• Ask child to close eyes gently (not squeeze)

• Wipe excess with clean tissue

Prevention (Bachav)

• Haath dhona - Frequent handwashing is most important!

• Don’t share - Separate towels, pillows, eye makeup

• Don’t touch eyes - Teach children to avoid rubbing

• Stay home - Keep child home from school until discharge stops

• Clean surfaces - Doorknobs, toys, phones that infected child touched

• Change pillowcase - Daily during infection

• Throw away - Contaminated eye makeup or contact lens solution During Infection Season:

• Keep windows closed during high pollution days

• Use air purifier if allergic conjunctivitis is common

• Keep child away from sick family members

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Mera bachcha subah uthta hai toh aankh chipki rehti hai. Kya yeh conjunctivitis hai?

A: If it’s just mild stickiness with no redness and clears with one wipe, it might be normal sleep discharge or a blocked tear duct (especially in babies). But if eyes are red, have thick discharge throughout the day, or the child is uncomfortable, it’s likely conjunctivitis - consult your doctor.

Q: Kya conjunctivitis ek aankh se doosri mein phailta hai?

A: Yes, very easily! That’s why it’s crucial to use separate cotton for each eye when cleaning, wash hands after touching the infected eye, and avoid rubbing. Many children infect their second eye within 1-2 days.

Q: Bachche ko school bhej sakte hain kya?

A: It’s best to keep the child home while there’s active discharge. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious. Most schools require a doctor’s certificate or at least 24 hours without discharge before the child returns.

Q: Eye drops daalte waqt bachcha bahut rota hai. Kya alternative hai?

A: You can try putting drops in the inner corner of closed eyes - when the child opens eyes, the medicine will go in. Eye ointment (at night) is sometimes easier than drops. Ask your doctor about once-daily drops if the child is very resistant.

Q: Conjunctivitis ki wajah se bachche ki neend kharab ho gayi hai. Kya karein?

A: The discomfort can affect sleep. Keep the room dark (light sensitivity is common), clean eyes before bedtime, and use prescribed drops. A cool compress before sleep can reduce itching. If child is very uncomfortable, give paracetamol as advised by your doctor. Sleep usually improves as the infection heals.

Q: Kya maa ka doodh aankh mein daalna chahiye?

A: This is a common traditional practice, but it’s not recommended by doctors. Breast milk is not sterile and may introduce bacteria. Stick to clean cooled boiled water or doctor-prescribed drops.

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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025

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