Health Alert: Sore Eyes
Last Monday, my son started to have a runny nose and complained of a slight sore throat. With his dad suffering from colds, I figured he must have gotten it from his dad. By night time he started to complain about painful and itchy eyes. By morning, he woke up with swollen, dirty, red eyes!
I’ve had sore eyes before so I know how much discomfort sore eyes could bring. Immediately, I asked my doctor sis for advice and was told to give him eye drops meant for sore eyes (Gentamicin Sulfate). He has started medication already, giving him 2 drops per eye every 2 hours for the first day (every 4 hours on the next days). He’s also getting some warm compress over his eyes to reduce the swelling.
Some weeks ago, a bulletin was sent from the school about the spread of sore eyes so I guess this thing is currently going around there. Last weekend was spent at their school fair, enjoying the food, rides and games. We also had their class parties. With the crowd, heat, rain and all, he may have gotten the sore eyes virus there.
He’ll probably stay home for the rest of the week.. which would be harder for him since he’ll be missing lectures and still have to do daily homework. That also means I’d have to explain his lessons to him instead.
Praying now that no one else in the household gets it, we must also do some measures to prevent the spread.
Here’s an FAQ released by the Department of Health about sore eyes.
http://portal.doh.gov.ph/faqs/sore_eyes
1. What is sore eyes?
” Sore eyes” is a common term for an inflammation of the thin covering of the eyeball and the inner eyelid brought about by a viral infection which may be highly contagious.
2. How does sore eyes spread?
Sore eyes can spread by contact of contaminated hands with the eyes (hand to eye contact ) or through touching of eyes with hands which got into contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. It can also spread through droplets from a person with sore eyes who also has a runny nose or cough.
3. What are the signs and symptoms of sore eyes?
- Redness of the eye
- Eye discomfort describing as burning or gritty but not sharp
- Vision is usually normal although smearing particular in waking, maybe common.
- Pain on the eye on exposure to light
- Water-like discharge commonly seen but later eyes maybe difficult to open in the morning, glued together
- Runny nose and sore throat maybe present
4. How long does sore eyes last?
Signs and symptoms of sore eyes will peak in 3 to 4 days, and patient will be relieved and recover in about 10 to 14 days.
5. What are the complications of sore eyes?
After a severe and prolonged infection there can be corneal scarring that can result in glare and decreased vision.
6. Is there a treatment for sore eyes?
Sore eyes which is of viral origin is self-limiting. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be used upon the advice of a health professional. To relieve the discomfort, warm compress may be applied to the eye 5 to 10 minutes three times a day.
7. How to prevent sore eyes?
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
- Do not touch your eyes and face without washing your hands.
- Do not share towels, eyeglasses/ shades and make up.
- Do not reuse handkerchiefs (using a tissue is best).
- Used make-up must be thrown away if the patient has been diagnosed with infectious conjunctivitis.
- Be careful that tips of eye drops or ointments do not touch the eyes or eyelashes. .
- Don’t swim (some bacteria and viruses can be spread in the water).
- Avoid shaking hands.
- Disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, counters, elevator buttons, hand rails with dilute bleach solution.
- Clothes, towels, pillow cases and anything else which may have come in contact with an infected person should be washed.
8. What should patients with sore eyes do?
- Frequently wash hands with soap and water.
- Use clean tissue to remove discharge from eyes and wash hands afterwards.
- Dispose used tissue in garbage bins. If the latter is not available, keep tissue in a small plastic bag then discard it as soon as you find a garbage bin.
- To prevent irritation of the eye and possible scarring, do not use contact lens while one has sore eyes.
- Do not wear eye make-up until the problem has been resolved.
- Warm compress may be helpful to relieve discomfort and remove “crust”.
- Use antibiotic or antiviral medication only upon prescription by the doctor .
- If drops or an ointment is prescribed, the applicator tip and infected eye must never come in contact with each other.
- Especially for persons with sore eyes with runny nose or cough, stay in a separate room or away from other family members or co-workers.
9. Should I report for work if I have sore eyes?
- As much as possible, do not report for work. However, if unavoidable circumstances require you to report for work, especially if you have sore eyes accompanied by runny nose and/or cough, stay in a separate room or away from other employees.
- In workplaces where you mingle or work closely with other employees, it is best to stay at home.
10.Should I go to school and attend classes if I have sore eyes?
Spread of sore eyes can be hastened by crowding and close contact with other persons thus, those with sore eyes are advised not report to school.
11.Until when should one be absent from work or school?
Until the symptoms have resolved and until there is no discharge from the eyes.
Department of Health
http://portal.doh.gov.ph/faqs/sore_eyes