My five year old daughter lately often complains that her eyes are hot. They aren't red, swollen, or hot to the touch. I'm not sure if there is actually something wrong or if she is just being her usual dramatic self. And if there is an issue, would the pediatrician know? Or am I going to need an ophthalmologist? They often seem to get hot when its bedtime, but it has happened at school too and the nurse gave her eye drops, which she didnt like. She's in bed screaming now that they hurt and I dont know what else to do. I've given her ice packs, homeopathics for allergies. I'm tapped out. Tomorrow I'm switching her shampoo in case that is it. Any ideas on what this could be?
Btw, dont know if this matters but last week she stopped antibiotics for an ear infex.
I would make appointments with both her doctor and her eye doctor. Better safe then sorry, and I don't play around when it comes to my children's vision. Eyes are so delicate.
I would take her to a pediatric ophthalmologist.
It's possible she doesn't have enough vitreous humor (the fluid IN the eye ball or sphere).
When she cries, does she cry tears or are they "dry cries"? She might have a blocked tear duct - which sounds scary - but is an easy fix...or so they say!
it could be allergies...but either way? I'd take her to the pediatric ophthalmologist first...let them test her eyes and run their tests...I can tell you NOT to give up...even if the doctor says "there's nothing wrong" - your daughter is telling you it's not right. fight for the answer.
Is it possible she is getting something in them? You mentioned changing shampoo... she couldn't have gotten that in her eyes at school, could she? Does she use any kind of lotions on her face? Or ointment elsewhere on her body that she might have rubbed her eyes after touching so as to transfer the ointment to her eyes?
She is old enough to have her vision checked by an optometrist/opthamologist... so maybe start with there, rather than your PCP.
There are a few parts of the body I never second guess nor try to find home remedies for. Those are: eyes, hands and privates.
There are a host of reasons your daughters eyes could be bothering her, shampoo being just one. My first hunch is possible migraines, given her recent infection and course of antibiotics.
I highly recommend a Pediatric Opthalmologist, for starters.
GL!
I'm still thinking allergies. Try a generic for Claritin or Zertic.
Opthalmologist, as soon as possible. The pediatrician isn't an eye doctor and . If this is nothing -- please do not fuss at her over "We had to go to the doctor and spend money and it was nothing" and so on.That will make her far less likely to tell you when she feels bad in the future and you do not want her to stop communicating with you. The "dramatic" side of the communication will subside over time, truly.
As others noted, she might have any of a wide range of things, from not producing adequate tears to allergies to simple irritation from shampoo. But you need to stop trying to handle it yourself and get a specialist on board.
Remember, if your insurance forces you to see the pediatrician first and get the pediatrician to write a referral to a specialist, you need to move even faster, so you can get her to the ped. first and then to that specialist sooner.
It's interesting that you refer to "her usual dramatic self." Please don't let any history of what you see as "drama" prevent you from getting her seen by a doctor (or more than one) to rule out anything serious. Better to know for sure now that it's nothing, than to wait and not go, only to find out later there was indeed a problem.
And if it is nothing in the end, please don't blame her. She is five. She may be overreacting -- or she may be trying to tell you something is really wrong.
Our old babysitter's daughter doesn't make enough tears, so her eyes get scratched up when she blinks because there isn't enough moisture. I don't mess with eye stuff and would take her to the doctor just in case. I'm sure it's not as severe as J's, but you never know.
If you see an ophtomologist...make sure it is a pediatric ophthalmologist. There is a big difference between one for adults and one for children.
Take this from a mom whose daughter had eye surgery at three years old...
Doesn't hurt to have her eyes checked!!
I would take her in to get her checked by an eye doctor, not just ped. My daughter complained the other day that her eyes were hot. But she was extremely tired--could not sleep at night, woke up after just 4 hours and then did not take any nap. Also, it is possible for a side affect from any meds and may be temp but get it checked no matter what.
You should be able to look at the paper that came with the antibiotics or look online to see if this might be a side effect. Oh also, maybe dry eyes? A 5 yr old could think that feels hot.
Even if she's a drama queen, I'd take her to the doctor. There might be something for her to be dramatic about.
Take her to an eye doc, not the glasses kind but the other kind. They may know exactly what this is.
My first thought was that my eyes hurt/burn when I have a sinus infection.
Going to the doc, or the eye doc is the best idea! .. She might be over dramatic, but it usually has some substance.
Good luck
