Eye Pus or Drainage

Symptom Definition

Yellow or green discharge or pus in the eye
Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes. The eyelashes are especially likely to be matted together following sleep
The whites of the eye may or may not have some redness or pinkness
The eyelids are usually puffy due to irritation from the infection
Main Cause: bacterial infection on top of a cold in the eye

See More Appropriate Topic

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

Yellow/green discharge or pus in the eye, but none of the symptoms described above (Reason: probably needs prescription antibiotic eyedrops to treat it)

Home Care Advice for Pus in the Eye (Pending Talking with Your Doctor)

Reassurance: Bacterial eye infections are a common complication of a cold. They respond to home treatment with antibiotic eyedrops and are not harmful to vision. Until you get a prescription for antibiotic eyedrops from your doctor, remove the pus:
Remove Pus: Remove the dried and liquid pus from the eyelids with warm water and wet cotton balls at least every hour. Once you have antibiotic eyedrops, they will not have a chance to work unless the pus is removed each time before they are put in.
Contact Lenses: Children with contact lenses need to switch to glasses temporarily (Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea)
Contagiousness: Your child can return to day care or school after using antibiotic eyedrops for 24 hours, if the pus is minimal.
Expected Course: With treatment, the yellow discharge should clear up in 3 days. The red eyes (which are part of the underlying cold) may persist for up to a week.
Call Your Doctor If
- Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms