Conjunctivitis: Should I Prescribe Medication for This?

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is a common eye infection that presents at pediatrician offices and often keeps kids out of school or daycare. Although conjunctivitis is commonly caused by viral infections, there are other reasons why a patient may get pink eye. As a pediatric provider, it is essential to understand the signs and symptoms of pink eye and to weigh the risks and benefits of prescribing antibiotics.

Listen to pediatric experts discuss conjunctivitis treatment

In this episode, Nicole Poole, MD, joins to discuss the treatment of conjunctivitis and the role pediatricians play in antibiotic stewardship.

Dr. Poole is the Associate Medical Director of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado and an assistant professor of pediatrics in the Section of Infectious Diseases at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• Conjunctivitis epidemiology
• Which types of conjunctivitis to treat with antibiotics
• Differentiating between severe and mild to moderate conjunctivitis
• Non-antibiotic treatment options, including symptom control
• AAP guidelines for managing infectious diseases in child care and schools and Colorado regulations
• Ophthalmic antibiotic use for acute infectious conjunctivitis
• Treating uncomplicated acute respiratory tract infections

Treatment of pediatric eye problems at Children’s Colorado

Our ophthalmologists are board-certified and fellowship-trained in pediatric ophthalmology. Our multidisciplinary approach to care means that pediatric eye specialists are able to easily access and consult with experts throughout the hospital to ensure children with multiple or contributing medical conditions receive the best care possible.