Red Eyes in children2025-04-10T11:32:35+00:00

Treatment For Red Eyes In Children

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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What are red eyes?

IN THIS VIDEO I PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION

Everything you need to know about red eyes in children

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Red-eye is a general term used to describe red, irritated and bloodshot eyes.

Red-eye is not uncommon in children.

The appearance of red-eye ranges in severity from a bright red that completely covers the sclera, to a few enlarged blood vessels that look like wiggly red or pink lines across the white of the eye.

Painful eyes

Pain in the eye may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel like you have a foreign object in your eye.

If the pain is severe, does not go away, or causes vision loss, seek medical attention immediately.

The red colour is a result of expanded blood vessels on the surface of the eye.

Red-eye in children is usually caused by rubbing the eyes or getting something in the eye, like sand.

However, if the red-eye is persistent or associated with other symptoms, the child should be seen by a specialist.

One of the things we see more often in children nowadays is blepharitis or inflammation of the lid margin. This is now becoming known as a disease in children which affects the glands that produce oil. The eyes become sore, uncomfortable and sensitive to light.

Red-eye may also be caused by:

  • Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye”
  • Stye or a red bump on the eyelid
  • Subconjunctival haemorrhage
  • Dry eye syndrome
  • Allergies
  • Contact lenses
  • Computer vision syndrome
  • Eye injury or trauma
  • Corneal ulcer
  • Ocular herpes
  • Whitening eye drops
  • Cold and flu
  • Smoking
  • Lack of sleep
  • Environment and hazards
  • Swimming

However, redness of the eye can also signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma.

If the red eye persists or worsens, you should contact Eye Clinic London for proper diagnosis and treatment.

We can diagnose red-eye with a thorough eye examination and a detailed history.

The examination will include an assessment of visual acuity and a thorough inspection of the eyelid, brow, orbit, conjunctiva, and cornea. We may also use a cotton swab to take some fluid from the eyelid to test in a lab.

The treatment will depend on the cause of your red-eye.

It may consist of one or a combination of the following:

  • Antibiotics in the form of eye drops, ointments, or pills
  • Medication
  • A heated eye mask
  • Eyelid massage
  • Warm compresses
  • A saline solution to wash out any irritants
  • Lifestyle adjustments

Samer Hamada and Eye Clinic London enable patients to experience relief from their eye problems so they can focus on what matters most.

How my eye care services work for children

FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST IN 3 EASY STEPS
A little girl sat on her mothers lap on the sofa whilst they use a laptop

STEP 1: CONTACT US

Give us a call or click the button below to book your child in for a consultation. Or, contact one of our helpful and knowledgeable staff to get answers to your questions.

a little girl and her father at an eye clinic appointment. They sat on a sofa smiling whilst talking to a medical professional.

STEP 2: LET’S MEET

Bring your child down to our clinic in London’s Harley Street district and we’ll conduct a thorough examination and consultation to see how we can help.

A photo of two women and a girl sitting on a sofa whilst smiling into the camera. The little girl is sat in the middle, the older woman is sat to the left of the girl and the younger woman is sat on the arm of the sofa in the background.

STEP 3: FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

Have the confidence of knowing that a caring eye care professional is managing your child’s eye condition so they can get back to normal life.

Book a consultation to see how to best tackle your child’s eye condition. Call us or book a consultation online today

Even more information about vision correction for children

VIDEO AND BLOG POSTS ABOUT CHILDREN’S EYE CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS
  • a smiling baby looking up at their mother

Babies’ eyes: birth to 12 months

Much like learning to walk and talk, babies learn to see over time. Book a consultation to see how to best tackle your child's eye condition. Find out more.

Helpful links to more information on red eye

COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION FROM TRUSTED AUTHORITIES

This site provides a great overview on the causes of red eye, as well as the ways to get rid of it. Click here for more information.

An overview on red eye by the NHS can be useful in determining your condition and understanding it on a greater level. Click here for more information.
Another overview of red eyes is given by WebMD, and discusses what the cause of your condition could be, as well as any symptoms. Click here for more information.

This article goes over red eye causes and what the best eye drops are for combatting the condition. Click here for more information.

Patient Reviews

MY PATIENTS ARE MY BEST PROMOTERS

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Affiliations and memberships

I AM PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS
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About the expert

Mr Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Surgeon

MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth I am Samer, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK. At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.