The number of children with pink eye in Nghe An has increased dramatically.

Master, Doctor Phan Dinh Toan - Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said: There are many preschool children suffering from pink eye. The majority of children come to the hospital for examination and treatment because the disease is detected early, so the treatment process is safe and effective.

However, there are a few children who have complications in the cornea (black eye) because their parents arbitrarily bought the wrong medicine, making the treatment process difficult, taking a long time to heal, and possibly leaving bad consequences that impair vision.

Pink eye is a popular name, professionally called acute conjunctivitis. The disease is characterized by red eyes due to congestion (dilation) of superficial blood vessels, so it is called pink eye. In addition, the disease also has signs: many secretions (eye discharge, pus), accompanied by swollen eyelids, irritation, watery eyes, etc.

There are many causes of acute conjunctivitis such as: bacterial infection, viral infection, allergy, chemical or physical agents... but the most common are 2 groups of causes: bacteria and viruses with different clinical manifestations, of which about 80% of conjunctivitis today is caused by Adenovirus.

Adenovirus conjunctivitis can occur at any age and year-round, but there are often outbreaks in the summer - fall or fall - winter. In addition to causing pink eye, adenovirus also causes diseases such as rhinopharyngitis and pneumonia in children.

Pink eye usually lasts about two weeks and can heal on its own. However, there are some cases that develop abnormally and can cause complications such as severe conjunctivitis with pseudomembrane, keratitis, corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, etc. that require hospitalization.

Treatment of pink eye is not too difficult, mainly eye hygiene, improving physical condition and resistance along with topical drops to relieve symptoms, anti-inflammatory, antibiotics...

However, patients should absolutely not use medication without a doctor's prescription, because if not treated properly, it can cause dangerous complications and affect long-term vision.

Master, Doctor Phan Dinh Toan recommends: “When there are signs of pink eye, patients need to go to medical facilities for examination and treatment to receive treatment instructions, to avoid unfortunate complications. Absolutely do not use drugs according to advice or use one person's prescription to treat another, especially drugs containing Corticosteroids without a doctor's prescription.

Do not treat with folk remedies: steaming eyes with medicine or leaves to avoid making the disease worse and risk of secondary infection.

When schools and families discover that children have pink eye, they need to keep them at home to avoid spreading it.

Pink eye is very easy to catch, spread easily in the community and cause epidemics. To proactively prevent the disease, the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health recommends that people take good measures to prevent pink eye.

- To prevent the spread of conjunctivitis, patients with pink eye should: Avoid rubbing their eyes, nose, and mouth. Wash hands frequently with soap and hand sanitizer.

If your eyes are watery or have a lot of eye discharge, use tissue or cotton swabs (used once) to clean them, then throw them in a trash can with a lid to avoid creating a source of infection for your family and people around you. Disinfect your hands after cleaning your eyes.

- Do not use contact lenses while suffering from conjunctivitis.

- Use separate personal items such as food and drinks, washbasins, towels, blankets, and pillows.

- Wear a mask when you have symptoms of coughing, sneezing...

- Clean tables, chairs, living and playing spaces for children with surface disinfectant solutions.

- Limit contact in crowded places.

- Especially when children have symptoms such as red eyes, watery eyes, and a lot of discharge, they need to go to eye examination facilities for timely treatment and handling of complications.