News Release
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Prevent the Spread of Pink Eye as Children Head Back to School
American Academy of Ophthalmology arms parents and teachers with prevention
and treatment information for the common eye infection
SAN FRANCISCO – September 17, 2012 – According to a study in the American Journal of
Infection Control, more than 3 million school days are missed annually in U.S. public schools
due to the spread of acute conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye.” To better prevent the spread
of the common eye infection as kids head back to the school, the American Academy of
Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart program is providing parents and educators with important pink eye
tips.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin, filmy membrane that covers the inside of your
eyelids and the white part of your eye (the sclera). It can be caused by viral infections, bacterial
infections and allergic reactions. It is most commonly caused by the same virus that causes the
common cold.
“Pink eye is all too common among children, it is one of the most common conditions I treat,”
says Lee Duffner, MD, ophthalmologist and clinical correspondent for the American Academy
of Ophthalmology. “The only way to prevent pink eye from spreading is to practice good
hygiene.”
How Pink Eye is Spread
Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can be quite contagious, and both are easily spread through
contact with nose or eye secretions, usually through hand-to-eye contact or poor contact lens
care. Pink eye is often spread in school and day care settings.
Pink Eye Prevention
Good hygiene can help prevent the spread of pink eye. The American Academy of
Ophthalmology recommends the following tips to prevent the spread of pink eye:
 Wash your hands frequently
 Do not touch your eyes
 Do not reuse handkerchiefs or towels when wiping your face and eyes
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Change pillowcases frequently
Do not use old cosmetics or share makeup
Maintain proper contact lens care and cleaning
Home Care Tips
Apply a warm or cool, lint-free compress to closed eyelids to relieve discomfort. If a child has
conjunctivitis in one eye only, be careful not to use the same cloth on both eyes in order to avoid
spreading the infection from one eye to the other. A warm compress is usually best for bacterial
or viral conjunctivitis, while a cool compress is best for allergic conjunctivitis. Over-the-counter
lubricating eye drops – artificial tears – may also provide relief from pink eye symptoms.
If symptoms persist, take your child to see an ophthalmologist to receive proper care.
Pink Eye Treatment
With viral conjunctivitis, symptoms can last from one to two weeks and then disappear on their
own. For bacterial conjunctivitis, an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) may prescribe antibiotic eye
drops to treat the infection. Allergic conjunctivitis treatment often includes antihistamine
medication.
For more information about pink eye, children’s eye development, and general eye health
information, visit www.geteyesmart.org.
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians
and surgeons - Eye M.D.s - with more than 32,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is
provided by the three "O's" - ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. It is the
ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and
perform eye surgery. For more information, visit www.aao.org.
About EyeSmart
The American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart® program educates the public about the
importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve their healthy vision. EyeSmart provides
the most trustworthy and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and
injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program. Visit
www.geteyesmart.org or www.ojossanos.org to learn more.
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