From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION In the treatment of superficial ocular infections, erythromycin ophthalmic ointment approximately 1 cm in length should be applied directly to the infected eye(s) up to six times daily, depending on the severity of the infection. The dosage concentration for a 5-year-old with pink eye is approximately 1 cm in length of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment applied directly to the infected eye(s) up to six times daily, depending on the severity of the infection 1.
- The guidelines do not specify different dosages based on age, but the dosage may vary based on the severity of the symptoms.
- Key symptoms to consider when determining the dosage frequency include the severity of the infection.
From the Research
For a 5-year-old with pink eye (conjunctivitis), the most appropriate treatment approach is to first determine the cause, with bacterial conjunctivitis typically requiring antibiotic eye drops, such as erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (0.5%) or polymyxin B-trimethoprim drops, for 5-7 days, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 2.
Causes and Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
The causes of conjunctivitis can be viral, bacterial, or allergic, each presenting with distinct symptoms:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by yellow-green discharge and crusting, and is more common in children.
- Viral conjunctivitis presents with watery discharge and often accompanies cold symptoms.
- Allergic conjunctivitis is marked by itching and watery discharge.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment depends on the identified cause:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis: Antibiotic eye drops are recommended, with options including erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (0.5%) applied 4 times daily, or polymyxin B-trimethoprim drops with 1 drop in the affected eye(s) every 3 hours while awake, both for 5-7 days, as supported by recent studies 3.
- Viral conjunctivitis: Typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days without antibiotic treatment.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: May be treated with antihistamine eye drops.
Important Considerations
- Proper hand hygiene and avoiding sharing personal items are crucial to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis.
- Children should stay home from school until discharge resolves or after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
- Parents should seek medical attention if symptoms worsen, vision changes occur, or if there's no improvement after 48 hours of treatment, as advised in 2 and 3.