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preventive eye drops for conjunctivitis
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Pediatric Medicine
Question #18726
68 days ago
107

preventive eye drops for conjunctivitis - #18726

Janvi

I am starting to get really worried cause my son has had this persistent red eye situation for a few days now. It started with just a bit of itchiness, but then it turned bloodshot and kinda watery. We did see the pediatrician, who said it might be conjunctivitis, but he didn’t prescribe any meds at that time, just told us to keep an eye on it. But now I've been reading about preventive eye drops for conjunctivitis. Do those actually work!? I’m thinking about getting some just in case it’s contagious or gets worse. I saw some people mentioning preventive eye drops for conjunctivitis saying they helped clear it up fast, but others weren't as convinced and thought it was just a waste of time or money. Could using preventive eye drops for conjunctivitis actually make a difference, or will it just cover up the symptoms? I mean, should I wait to see if it gets better on its own? I’d love to hear anyone’s experiences with preventive eye drops for conjunctivitis or if there are certain types I should be looking for. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, not gonna lie! Do most eye doctors recommend them for cases like this?

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Doctors' responses

Preventive eye drops for conjunctivitis aren’t generally recommended as a first step or a preventative measure. That’s because conjunctivitis, or pink eye, can arise from various causes: viral infections, bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants. The appropriate treatment largely depends on identifying the underlying cause. If it’s viral, which is quite common in kids, it usually resolves on its own within a week or two, and antibiotics won’t help in such cases. If it’s bacterial, an antibiotic eye drop might be necessary, but those need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional after a proper examination. And if it’s due to allergies, using antihistamine eye drops or eliminating the allergen exposure might be beneficial. Your pediatrician’s advice to keep an eye on it was likely based on the judgment that the symptoms were mild and could self-resolve. That being said, there are no over-the-counter drops marketed specifically for “prevention” of conjunctivitis that have proven efficacy for most types. It’s important to maintain good hygiene by making sure your son washes his hands frequently and doesn’t touch or share things like towels or pillowcases with others to reduce spreading it if it’s infectious. If the eye becomes increasingly red, painful, or your son experiences vision changes, it’s crucial to revisit a healthcare provider for closer evaluation and possibly different treatment. I know it can be specially tricky to distinguish what will work but starting with preventative drops without a firm diagnosis might not be useful and could delay effective treatment if needed. While it’s tempting to try something to speed up recovery, the best approach is often to monitor and manage symptoms based on expert advice until you know more about what’s behind the conjunctivitis. Make sure to consult with a healthcare professional for guidance tailored to your child’s specific case, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.

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