Eye - Pus or Discharge

Is this your child's symptom?

• Yellow or green discharge (pus) in the eye
• The eyelids are stuck (matted) together with pus after sleep
• After being wiped away, the pus comes back during the day
• Often caused by a bacterial eye infection

If NOT, try one of these:
• Eye - Allergy
• Eye - Red Without Pus

Symptoms of Bacterial Eye Infection

• Lots of yellow or green pus in the eye that keeps coming back during the day
• The eyelids and eyelashes are stuck together after sleep. Caution: a little dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes can be normal with a cold.
• The whites of the eye may or may not be red or pink
• The eyelids are often puffy

Causes of Eye with Pus

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis is a bacterial infection of the eye. The main symptom is eyelids stuck together with pus after sleep. Also, the pus keeps coming back while awake. Can be present in 1 or both eyes.
• Viral Conjunctivitis is a viral infection of the eyes. Main symptom is pinkness of the white parts of the eyes. The eyes are also watery. Most often, there is no pus or small amounts after sleep. Usually on both sides.
• Normal Discharge. A small amount of dried mucus only in the corner of the eye. It may not even be pus. A collection of mucus can be cream colored. Often due to an irritant that got in the eye from dirty hands. Needs no treatment except wiping it away with warm water.
• Blocked Tear Duct. Present in 10% of newborns. Main symptom is a constant watery eye. Tears fill the eye and run down the face. This happens even when not crying. The eye is not red and the eyelid is not swollen. The wet eye may get secondary infections. This will cause the eyelids to become matted with pus.
• Foreign Object in Eye (serious). Small particles such as sand, dirt or sawdust can be blown into the eyes. The grit often gets stuck under the upper eyelid. If not removed, the eye reacts by producing pus. The main clue is an eye infection that does not respond to antibiotic eyedrops. Older children complain of feeling something in the eye.
• Eyelid Cellulitis (serious) is a deep infection of the eyelid and tissues around it. The main symptom is a red, swollen, very tender eyelid. The eye can be swollen shut. Usually only on one side. This can be a problem caused by bacterial conjunctivitis. The eye infection spreads inward. More commonly this is caused by an ethmoid sinus infection or nearby cut that gets infected. That type occurs without any pus in the eye.