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LOOK for pus draining from the eye. Pus draining from the eye is a sign of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an
infection of the conjunctiva, the inside surface of the eyelid and the white part of the eye. If you do not
see pus draining from the eye, look for pus on the conjunctiva or on the eyelids. Often the pus forms a crust when the child is sleeping and seals the eye shut. It can be gently opened with clean hands. Wash your hands after examining the eye of any child with pus draining from the eye.
LOOK for clouding of the cornea. The cornea is usually clear. When clouding
of the cornea is present, there is a hazy area in the cornea. Look carefully at the cornea for clouding. The cornea may appear clouded or hazy The clouding may occur in one or both eyes. Corneal clouding is a dangerous condition. The corneal clouding maybe due to vitamin A deficiency which has been made worse by measles. If the corneal
clouding is not treated, the cornea can ulcerate and cause blindness. A child with clouding of the cornea needs urgent treatment with vitamin AA child with corneal clouding may keep his eyes tightly shut when exposed to light. The light may cause irritation and pain to the child's eyes. To check the child's eye, wait for the child to open his eye. Or, gently pull down the lower eyelid to look for clouding. If there is clouding of the cornea, ask the mother how long the clouding has been present. If the mother is certain that clouding
has been therefor sometime, ask if the clouding has already been assessed and treated at the hospital. If it has, you do not need to refer this child again for corneal clouding.
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