Spring is the peak season for children's conjunctivitis and keratitis. Parents must read the protection strategy

Spring is here and everything is coming back to life, but the pollen, catkins, dusty weather and active viruses that come with it also bring a peak in visits to children's ophthalmology. Spring is the peak season for eye diseases in children. Parents need to pay special attention to their children's eye health, especially the early symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and keratitis. Timely medical treatment is the key.

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Why has spring become a "hard-hit area" for children's eye diseases?

A surge in allergens: Pollen, catkins, and dust mites induce allergic conjunctivitis, and children often experience itchy nose and sneezing.

Virus active period: Adenovirus, influenza virus, etc. are transmitted through contact, causing viral conjunctivitis or keratitis.

Increased outdoor activities: Children tend to rub their eyes while playing, which may lead to bacterial infection or foreign objects scratching the cornea.

Among the children with eye diseases seen recently, conjunctivitis accounts for a large proportion, most of which are allergic. The number of keratitis cases has increased compared to winter, which is mostly related to the increase in crowds and outdoor activities, leading to cross-infection of bacteria and viruses. The increase in allergens in spring, coupled with the frequent outdoor activities of children, significantly increases the risk of eye infection, and parents need to be vigilant.

How to differentiate between conjunctivitis and keratitis?

Although conjunctivitis and keratitis have similar symptoms, their causes and harmfulness are different. Parents can make a preliminary judgment based on the cause, symptoms, clinical manifestations, etc.

The most common causes of conjunctivitis are microbial infection, physical stimulation, chemical damage, immune-related, and systemic factors. The conjunctiva mainly affects the conjunctival tissue. Clinical manifestations are often foreign body sensation, burning sensation, itching, photophobia, tearing, etc. Clinical manifestations are usually conjunctival congestion, conjunctival secretions, papillary hyperplasia, follicle formation, chemosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctival granuloma, conjunctival scar, etc.

Keratitis is divided into infectious and non-infectious. Infectious types are further divided into bacterial, viral, fungal and amebic infections. Keratitis affects not only the conjunctiva but also the corneal tissue. In severe cases, it can also affect the inside of the eye. Symptoms include red eyes, photophobia, tearing, blepharospasm, etc. Depending on the different corneal infections, the clinical manifestations will vary. It is recommended to seek treatment from a professional doctor.

At the same time, conjunctivitis generally does not affect vision, but if not treated in time, it may cause complications such as keratitis. Keratitis may directly lead to blurred or decreased vision, and in severe cases may even cause permanent vision damage.

A complete guide to preventing children from eye diseases in spring

Cut off allergens: Avoid going out during the peak pollen season and wear closed goggles when going out; use air purifiers at home and clean air conditioning filters and plush toys regularly

Eliminate the dangerous action of "rubbing eyes": teach children to gently wipe the area around the eyes with paper towels, and provide independent disinfected towels; children wearing OK lenses must strictly follow the cleaning process and stop wearing them immediately if their eyes become red.

Early recognition warning signs: conjunctivitis causes the eyelids to become sticky with secretions in the morning, persistent eye itching, and redness of the whites of the eyes; keratitis causes sudden photophobia, frequent blinking, white spots on the black eyes, and blurred vision.

Principles of scientific medication: It is recommended to go to a professional hospital and take medication according to the doctor's orders. It is best not to take medication blindly on your own.

Hot Questions and Answers: 4 Questions Parents Are Most Concerned About

Q1: Swimming pools are gradually opening, how to prevent infection?

→ Choose a swimming pool that meets hygiene standards, use artificial tears to rinse your eyes after swimming, and avoid opening your eyes when diving.

Q2: What should I do if my child’s eyes are scratched by tree branches during a spring outing?

→ Rinse immediately with pure water (do not squeeze the eyeball), cover with clean gauze and seek medical attention urgently. Do not apply ointment.

Q3: Is allergic conjunctivitis hereditary?

→Allergic constitution has a genetic tendency, and children whose parents have a history of allergies should take environmental prevention and control measures in advance.

Q4: How to avoid ocular surface diseases by taking long-term online classes?

→ Follow the 20-20-20 eye protection rule, use a humidifier to keep humidity > 40%, and use preservative-free artificial tears when necessary.

Although eye diseases are more common in spring, most of them can be cured through standardized treatment. Parents are advised to check their children's visual function regularly, and if abnormalities are found, they should go to a specialist hospital for targeted examinations such as corneal fluorescence staining and allergen testing. Protect your child's bright eyes, starting with scientific knowledge!

Source: Chongqing Aier Children's Eye Hospital Co., Ltd.

Audit expert: Han Dengmei

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