Willow has Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis.
We noticed it because she had a lot of goop in the inside corner of her right eye. At first it was just like a regular "sand in your eyes" color. So, yesterday we called her Pediatrician (who I love because she is so tentative). She said it may be "allergy eyes" and to keep an eye on it (no pun intended). Then today it started turning a bright green color and it jumped to include her left eye so I called her Pediatrician ( on a Sunday) and she literally personally called me back in minutes from leaving a message with the answering service. She said it sounded like pink eye, likely caused by bacteria, and called in a prescription.
According to WebMD: "Pinkeye (also called conjunctivitis) is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. The lining of the eye is usually clear. If irritation or infection occurs, the lining becomes red and swollen.
Viral and bacterial pinkeye are contagious and spread very easily. Since most pinkeye is caused by viruses for which there is usually no medical treatment, preventing its spread is important. Poor hand-washing is the main cause of the spread of pinkeye. Sharing an object, such as a washcloth or towel, with a person who has pinkeye can spread the infection."
According to About.com - Pediatrics: "When most parents think of pink eye (conjunctivitis), they are thinking of a bacterial infection of the eye. There are a lot of causes of red eyes though, including viral infections, allergies and irritation.
When caused by a bacteria, children with pink eye will have green or yellow discharge from their eyes and the white parts of their eye and the inside of the lower eyelid will be red. In addition to being matted when they wake up, with bacterial conjunctivitis, you will have to frequently wipe away the drainage from your child's eyes.
In addition to bacterial infections, children can have pink eye from allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), which will cause their eyes to be red, itchy, and tearing.
Viral infections can also cause pink eye. In addition to being intensely red, children with a virus that causes pink eye will have tearing and a white discharge.
A scratched eye or corneal abrasion can also cause tearing, redness and pain in a child's eye. While most infections affect both eyes, an abrasion would be expected to just cause symptoms in one eye."
Now you know...and knowing is half the battle. -GI Joe
This is yet another instance when talking to my sister, a mother of four, prompted me to call the Pediatrician. I am so glad I did because I don't want to take Willow to daycare with something that is so contagious.
