How to treat red eyes

  The principles of treatment for red eye include removing the cause, cutting off the transmission route, and fighting the infection.  Red eye is a highly contagious acute infectious conjunctivitis, and treatment varies from one conjunctivitis infection to another. However, the general principles of treatment are to remove the cause, cut off the transmission pathway and anti-infection.  (1) Removal of the cause of the infection: disinfecting used washcloths, handkerchiefs, etc.  (2) Cut off the transmission route: If a child is diagnosed with pink eye, he or she should stop going to school to prevent infection; if there is a person with pink eye at home, washbasins and towels should be strictly separated and boiled frequently to disinfect.  (3) Anti-infection: If bacterial infection is considered, use antibiotic eye drops such as tobramycin and levofloxacin drops; if viral infection is considered, use antiviral eye drops such as ganciclovir or acyclovir eye drops; if Chlamydia trachomatis infection is considered, use 0.1% rifampicin eye drops; if fungal infection is considered, use antifungal eye drops such as natamycin, amphotericin B. Depending on the severity of the disease, conjunctival sac irrigation, topical, systemic or combined medications can be used.  (1) When there is a lot of discharge from the affected eye, use a non-irritating rinse such as boric acid or saline to flush the conjunctival sac, do not bandage the affected eye but wear sunglasses to reduce light irritation.  (2) Local medication for children can choose eye ointment, avoid eye drops when children cry with tears out, eye drops in the acute stage can be every 1-2 hours.  (3) Neisseria infection of conjunctivitis should be systemic timely use of adequate antibiotics, intramuscular (injection) or intravenous (infusion) administration of drugs.  In summary, the treatment of red eye is diverse and requires a treatment plan chosen according to the condition, including disinfection of washing utensils, rinsing of the conjunctival sac, and local and systemic medication. However, the aim of treatment is to remove the cause of the disease, to cut off the transmission route and to fight the infection.