“Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is common in childhood,” said Dr. Stephanie Goei, a pediatric ophthalmologist at the MCGHealth Eye Care Center. “There are viral and bacterial forms, and symptoms include redness and inflammation of the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids and a discharge that accumulates usually after sleeping. Affected children may awaken with their eyes stuck shut,” Dr. Goei said. “It can be scary at first, but applying a warm, wet washcloth will remove the discharge, and, if necessary, antibiotic eye drops or ointment should eliminate the infection.”

Dr. Goei will discuss pink eye, allergies and other eye infections, as well as how to determine when a child is contagious and should be kept home from school, at a Lunch and Learn on children’s eye health for parents and caregivers on September 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Dogwood Room of Terrace Dining on the second floor of the MCGHealth Medical Center.

Bring your lunch and a friend. For more information or to RSVP, call Sheryl Alba at 706-721-1165 or visit mcghealth.org.

MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient facilities and services throughout the state.  For more information, please visit mcghealth.org.