A video visit can often help assess a mild red or irritated eye, discharge, itching, swelling, and associated cold or allergy symptoms. Some cases still need an in-person eye examination, especially when there is significant pain, light sensitivity, vision change, injury, or concern for corneal involvement.
Pink eye does not have one single cause
Conjunctivitis can be viral, bacterial, allergic, irritant-related, or caused by a less common eye condition. Viral pink eye often occurs with cold symptoms and watery discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis is usually very itchy and often affects both eyes. Bacterial conjunctivitis may cause thicker yellow or green discharge and eyelids that stick together.
These patterns overlap. Antibiotic drops are not automatically needed, and a red eye should not be treated based only on discharge color.
What can a pediatrician assess during a video visit?
- Whether one or both eyes are affected
- The amount and type of discharge
- Eyelid swelling, surrounding redness, and whether the child can comfortably open the eye
- Itching, pain, light sensitivity, vision concerns, fever, cold symptoms, allergy symptoms, and exposure history
- Whether treatment, home care, follow-up, or an in-person eye examination is the safest next step
When is an in-person examination more important?
A camera cannot fully examine the cornea, measure vision, or replace a slit-lamp examination. Contact lens wearers with a painful red eye have a higher risk of corneal infection and generally need prompt in-person evaluation.
Newborns and young infants with eye discharge or swelling also need a lower threshold for direct examination.
How can families reduce spread?
- Wash hands before and after touching the child's face or eyes.
- Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, pillows, cosmetics, and eye drops.
- Gently clean discharge with a fresh damp cloth and avoid touching the dropper tip to the eye.
- Follow school or child-care guidance, which may differ by setting and local policy.
Arrange urgent in-person eye care for red flags
A painful red eye is not always simple conjunctivitis. Prompt examination is important when symptoms suggest injury, corneal disease, or infection around the eye.
- Moderate or severe eye pain, marked light sensitivity, or reduced or blurred vision
- Chemical exposure, penetrating injury, significant trauma, or a suspected foreign body
- Rapidly increasing eyelid swelling, fever with swelling around the eye, or difficulty moving the eye
- A contact lens wearer with pain, light sensitivity, or vision change
Sources reviewed
This general educational page was prepared using the sources below. It does not replace an individualized medical assessment.