The best drops for conjunctivitis for children

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eye and eyelids (1), which manifests itself as a reaction to harmful influences. It is the most common inflammatory eye disease in children and adults (2). In addition to redness, there is a feeling of pain in the eyes, fear of bright light, separated from the eyes. 

A child can “bring” conjunctivitis from school, kindergarten, or catch it at a summer camp. These groups are characterized by epidemic outbreaks of the disease. Often the child himself becomes a source of infection, for example, with a cold and SARS. 

There are three main types of childhood conjunctivitis: viral, bacterial and allergic. 

Viral conjunctivitis is more often associated with infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In this case, one eye is first affected, later the infection passes to the other. It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• feeling of pain in the eye;
• redness of the conjunctiva of the eye;
• photophobia;
• the disease is usually preceded by inflammation of the respiratory tract.

With bacterial conjunctivitis, the disease begins a little differently – predominantly one eye is affected. And the symptoms are slightly different:

• mucous discharge from the eye;
• sticky eyelids after sleep;
• feeling of a foreign object in the eye;
• feeling of dry eyes and skin.

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs with lesser manifestations:

• itching in the eye area;
• sore eyes;
• swelling of the eyelids.

All conjunctivitis can be accompanied by swelling of the eyelids and mucous membranes of the eye, redness of the eyeball, lacrimation and photophobia. It is important to remember: the disease is contagious, requires isolation of the child and strict personal hygiene. 

As soon as symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult an ophthalmologist. The doctor will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.

In complex therapy, eye drops are used. Together with an ophthalmologist, doctor of the highest qualification category Svetlana Chistyakova we have compiled a rating of the best drops for conjunctivitis in children.

Rating of the top 10 drops for conjunctivitis in children 

When choosing drugs, you should pay attention to the composition, contraindications and possible side effects. Not all drops that are used for conjunctivitis are suitable for children. The age of the child, the presence of concomitant health problems and the general state of immunity should be taken into account. 

Considering that the nature of the disease can be viral, bacterial or allergic, we divided the best drops from conjunctivitis into groups, depending on the variety.

Rating of the top 4 drops for bacterial conjunctivitis in children 

In the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in children, bactericidal or bacteriostatic drops are used (2). It is optimal to choose bacteriostatic drugs: they do not kill pathogens, but only inhibit their further growth. Thanks to this, a minimum amount of toxins enters the child’s body. 

1. Levomycetin

Drops for the treatment of conjunctivitis with a simple composition. The active substance is chloramphenicol, a bacteriostatic antibiotic with a wide spectrum of action. These drops are prescribed for eye infections caused by bacteria, including conjunctivitis. 

The drug acts gently, so it is prescribed even for babies older than one month. You need to understand: drops can cause local allergies. 

Levomycetin at a dosage of 0,25% is used one drop three to four times a day in both eyes. They can be treated for 7-10 days.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

2. “Albucid”

The active substance sulfacetamide is a bacteriostatic agent. It is detrimental to most Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. “Albucid” is used in the treatment of various infectious eye diseases in children. The drug has a minimum of contraindications – only individual intolerance to the components. 

The tool is suitable for use from 2 months. Apply 1 drop every 2-3 hours in both eyes. The substance may cause a burning sensation, itching, watery eyes, but these sensations pass quickly.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

3. “Vytabact”

“Vitabakt” refers to antimicrobial and antiseptic agents. The drug affects not only bacteria, but also some viruses and fungi. 

The active substance picloxidine is practically not absorbed and is therefore safe for children from birth. The main purpose of the drops is the treatment of eye infections caused by bacteria. It is contraindicated to use this remedy only with individual intolerance, in rare cases an allergic reaction may occur. How to use: drop by drop up to six times a day.  

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

4. “Ciprofloxacin”

These are drops of bactericidal action with the active ingredient of the same name in the base. The drug of the fluoroquinolone series is active against most microorganisms. Drops are not used for fungal, viral conjunctivitis, they cannot be used to treat babies under the age of one year.

The medicinal substance acts 10 minutes after instillation for 6 hours. Children sometimes have a burning sensation, itching, slight eye pain, and redness. The use of “Ciprofloxacin” can provoke nausea and local allergies.

The drug is applied drop by drop 4-8 times a day. 

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

Rating of the top 3 drops for viral conjunctivitis in children

Antibacterial agents are not suitable for the treatment of viral conjunctivitis in children. But often an infection gets into the eye irritated by the virus, and bacterial conjunctivitis joins the disease. Therefore, it is important to correctly diagnose the disease. 

Viral conjunctivitis may disappear on its own, but if symptoms are severe, drops will be required.

1. “Ophthalmoferon”

The main active ingredients are interferon alfa-2b and diphenhydramine. Drops help fight the virus and microbes, eliminate inflammation, have analgesic and immunomodulatory effects. 

There are no contraindications, as well as side effects. An exception may be individual intolerance to the components of the drug. In addition, the use of drops has no age limit. 

Bury “Ophthalmoferon” 1-2 drops in both eyes up to 6-8 times a day.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

2. “Actipol”

These antiviral drops contain aminobenzoic acid, act as an immunomodulator and antioxidant. “Aktipol” helps to restore the water-salt balance of tissues and accelerates the regeneration of the cornea. Drops are used for conjunctivitis of viral and herpes origin, as well as for injuries and eye burns. 

Of the contraindications – only hypersensitivity to substances in the composition. Adverse reactions occur rarely, in the form of redness of the eyes or a local allergic reaction.

Apply one or two drops in each eye 3-8 times a day. Do not use “Aktipol” in conjunction with sulfonamides (for example, with “Albucid”).

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

3. “Oftan Idu”

The antiviral drug is intended for the treatment of conjunctivitis caused by the herpes virus. The active substance is idoxuridine. It infects the DNA of the herpes simplex virus or chickenpox, after which it is easier for the human immune system to fight it. 

Contraindications: iritis, keratitis (with caution), hypersensitivity to its components. As adverse reactions, drops can cause itching, pain, redness, swelling of the eye and eyelids, and allergic reactions. In rare cases, clouding of the cornea may occur. 

Apply during the day, one drop every hour, at night – one drop every two hours.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

Rating of the top 3 drops for allergic conjunctivitis in children 

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the child’s body is hypersensitive to pollen, wool, medicinal substances, irritating environmental factors such as smoke, cold or dry hot air (3). 

When the cause of the allergy is eliminated, conjunctivitis goes away on its own. However, if the symptoms are causing the child a lot of anxiety, eye drops may be needed. 

1. “Opatanol”

The main substance is olopatadine. Drops have a strong anti-allergic effect. Most often used to treat seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. 

The drug has no contraindications (apart from individual intolerance to substances) and side effects.

These drops can be instilled in children from 3 years. Easy to use: one drop twice a day. 

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

2. “Visin classic”

The active substance is tetrizoline, which has a vasoconstrictive effect. The drug begins to work quickly – within a minute after application, the effect lasts for up to 8 hours. It is optimal to use these drops when exposed to physical and chemical factors (smoke, dust, bright light, chlorinated water, wind, etc.). 

You can not use the drug for signs of glaucoma and children under two years of age. When used, pain, irritation and itching may occur, which quickly pass.

Drops are available in the form of single capsules (for one application). There is a release form in a dropper bottle, but that drug has an age limit – from 12 years old.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

3. “Allergodil”

The basis of these drops is the substance azelastine. This is a strong anti-allergic agent, H1-histamine blocker. Among other things, azelastine has an anti-inflammatory effect. Drops are used to treat seasonal and year-round allergic conjunctivitis. 

The drug is approved for use in children from 4 years of age. Remember: “Allergodil” can cause short-term blurred vision and a burning sensation in the eye. During treatment with the drug, contact lenses should not be worn.

How to use: one drop in the morning and evening. Can be used to prevent allergies.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

How to choose drops for conjunctivitis for children

First of all, you need to determine the cause of the disease. In the treatment of bacterial, viral or allergic conjunctivitis, different drugs are used. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Often viral and bacterial conjunctivitis in children is a complication of other diseases. In this case, complex treatment will be required, in which you need to pay attention to the compatibility of drugs. 

When choosing drops, you should carefully read the instructions for the drug, take into account the age of the child, the presence of contraindications and side effects. 

The correct way out is not to self-medicate, but at the first symptoms, consult a doctor. So you can quickly help your child and cope with the disease.

Popular questions and answers

We asked our expert, an ophthalmologist, a doctor of the highest qualification category Svetlana Chistyakova, to answer the most popular questions regarding drugs for conjunctivitis in children.

Sources of

1. Conjunctivitis: a practical guide for doctors // Rozhko Yu.I. URL: https://www.rcrm.by/download/posob_doctor/2016-8.PDF
2. Conjunctivitis and dacryocystitis in children: clinical characteristics, current treatment options // Arestova N.N., Katargina L.A., Yani E.V. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/konyunktivity-i-dakriotsistity-u-detey-klinicheskaya-harakteristika-sovremennye-vozmozhnosti-lecheniya/viewer
3. Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis in children // Ksenzova L.D. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/lechenie-allergicheskogo-konyunktivita-u-detey/viewer