Back to School: Educating Children about Pink Eye from your Optometrist in Maple Ridge

Now that fall is approaching, it is time for the start of the new school year. The return to school however, means children are in close and constant contact. When your child returns to school, give them a refresher on how to keep from contracting germs in order to avoid illnesses. One such condition they should learn to avoid is pink eye, or conjunctivitis. It is particularly prevalent among young children and can easily be contracted. Both the viral and bacterial forms of conjunctivitis can be transmitted simply through touch. Here are some important points you can communicate to your child about this disease in an attempt to minimize the risk of contraction.

Teach Eye Care Techniques

• Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) is spread by touch. Tell your child to keep their hands away from the faces of other children. If they happen to touch another child's face, have them wash their hands or use antibacterial gel immediately.
• Tell your child to use their own school supplies to minimize the spread of conjunctivitis, as well as diseases.
• Teach your child the early symptoms of pink eye, such as sensitivity to light, feeling as if a foreign object is in the eye, blurred vision or itchiness in the eyes.
• Instruct your child to wash his/her hands frequently as a preventative measure.
• If your child contracts conjunctivitis, carefully remove and wash their sheets and pillow cases to prevent the spread of this disease to other family members or even your child’s other eye.

See an Eye Doctor

At the first signs of pink eye, bring your child to see our optometrist in Maple Ridge. We can examine the eyes and assess the symptoms. You can stop pink eye in its tracks by having your child see an eye doctor right away, decreasing the chances of it being spread to others as a result.

Have you scheduled your child for an exam to check for eye health this year?