Pink eye, also known as allergic conjuctivitis, is a common concern among parents, healthcare professionals and educators througout the school year. Considered a common childhood ailment, pink eye is highly contagious and, when left untreated, can result in significant eye pain and irritation. For many children, the overwhelming irritation, often as a sensation of itching, leads to a constant rubbing of the eyes. Unfortunately, these same hands then interact with other children and objects at school, leading to a common platform on which to spread the contagious pink eye. With the FDA approved drug, Zaditor, parents can now arm their children with an eye drop product which will decrease the itching sensation in an effort to reduce the spread of pink eye througout the school.
In the battle against pink eye, also known as allergic conjuctivitis, many physicians are turning to a new prescription medication, Zaditor. As an eye drop, Zaditor, works to relieve itching associated and ever so common in childhood pink eye cases. While not a cure, the prescription is frequently prescribed so as to assist the patient in obtaining relief from itching and prevent further spreading of the condition. Dosing of Zaditor will generally depend on the nature of the eye condition with applicators available in quantities as high as five milliliters. One to two drops of Zaditor, in each affected eye, will offer immediate relief from painful and irritating itching and, thereby, potentially reduce the spread of infection to other children.
As with most FDA approved drugs, Zaditor is contraindicated in some patients and does come with side effects. In as many as ten to 25 percent of patients using Zaditor, side effects included headache and sinus pain. As a general rule, however, these symptoms dissipate as the pink eye or allergic conjuctivitis is remedied. More severe side effects, which require immediate physician attention, may include burning or stinging in the eyes, rash and an increase in discharge.
Contraindicated in patients suffering from glaucoma or other eye disorders, Zaditor should be used with extreme caution so as to not further damage the eye. Additionally, for women who are preganant, nursing or may become pregnant, the use of Zaditor is classifed as a Category C drug meaning the affects on nursing infants and unborn chidlren is not yet known. However, Zaditor is not recommended for use in children, under the age of three who are suffering from pink eye or allergic conjuctivitis.
Because Zaditor is available by prescription, following examination and confirmation of eye disease, the shelf life of the product is not extended. With the potential for bacterial growth, the use of Zaditor should be limited to the one individual for which it is prescribed and discarded following resolution of symptoms. Failure to treat the symptoms, as well as the origin, of pink eye may lead to a mini-epidemic within the education system. As a highly contagious disease, pink eye should be treated at the first onset of symptoms with the use of prescription eye drops including Zadtior in an effort to control itching and irritation. For more information regarding Zaditor and allergic conjuctivitis, or pink eye, visit www.zaditor.com.
