Which department should I visit for a child's red and swollen eyes?

Generally, when a child has red and swollen eyes, the appropriate department to visit may include pediatric ophthalmology, ophthalmic emergency, ocular surface disease clinic, allergy clinic, or infectious disease department, depending on the specific condition. Details are as follows:

1. Pediatric Ophthalmology

Pediatric ophthalmology is the core specialty for diagnosing and treating children's eye conditions, suitable for common issues such as chalazion, hordeolum, refractive errors accompanied by eye strain and redness/swelling. Given the delicate nature of children's ocular tissues, doctors in this department are familiar with the characteristics of visual development in children and can address basic eye problems through methods such as warm compress guidance, topical medications, and vision testing.

2. Ophthalmic Emergency

If a child’s eye redness and swelling result from trauma, especially when accompanied by pain, bleeding, or sudden vision loss, they should be seen at an ophthalmic emergency clinic. These cases require prompt intervention; emergency physicians will perform professional examinations to assess the extent of injury and immediately implement emergency measures such as hemostasis and wound cleaning to prevent worsening of the condition.

3. Ocular Surface Disease Clinic

When a child's eye redness and swelling are accompanied by itching and increased eye discharge, it may indicate ocular surface diseases such as conjunctivitis or keratitis, requiring evaluation by the ocular surface disease clinic. These conditions are often associated with bacterial infection or poor eye hygiene. Doctors in this specialty will examine eye secretions to identify the cause and prescribe targeted medications to control inflammation.

4. Allergy Clinic

If a child develops eye redness and swelling after exposure to allergens such as pollen or dust mites, along with symptoms like sneezing and runny nose, they should see an allergist. Management of allergy-related eye symptoms involves avoiding known allergens. Physicians will conduct allergy testing to identify triggers and prescribe antihistamines or other anti-allergy medications to relieve discomfort.

5. Infectious Disease Department

When a child presents with eye redness and swelling along with fever and generalized rash, it could be an ocular manifestation of infectious diseases such as measles or chickenpox, necessitating consultation with the infectious disease department. These cases require comprehensive treatment addressing the systemic illness. Infectious disease specialists will develop an integrated treatment plan to manage the overall infection while protecting eye health.

In addition, if parents are uncertain about which department to visit, they can consult the hospital’s triage desk. Furthermore, in daily life, children should be reminded to wash hands frequently, avoid rubbing their eyes, and maintain good eye hygiene to reduce the risk of eye problems.