Doctor won't prescribe eye drops for mild conjunctivitis.

[OstentatiousBreastfeeder]

But the school won't take DS back unless he's had them.

Over the weekend, DS was complaining of a sore eye. On Monday DS came downstairs with slightly red, sticky eyes, so off to the doctor we went. Doctor said it's mild, will clear up on its own, go back to school today if you want. Took him in at 11am, they wouldn't take him - fair enough actually, I'd have made the same call in their shoes, all good.

Yesterday though his eyes looked nearly 100% better, phoned up and told them this and asked if it would be ok to bring him in. They asked if he'd had eye drops and I told them he hadn't as the doctor didn't prescribe any - they said they won't have him back until he's had antibiotics. So another day on the sofa.

Today his eyes look fine, they're not red or inflamed or crusty anymore. Perfectly back to normal.

He's in reception and has missed a lot of school due to chicken pox and lots and lots of tonsillitis since starting. He's absolutely fine within himself and his eyes are perfect.

WIBU to not ask permission from the school office and just take him in...?

I should add, by the time I was finished talking to the school yesterday it was too late to nab an appointment to ask for eyedrops.

Hi we had this with my kids who are in nursery. We went to the pharmacy when the second one started looking a bit pinky eyed and they gave drops over the counter.

It happened again recently late at night and they gave DH drops without even seeing DDs eyes.

I would try that - I got same info from Doc, its self limiting etc which is fine but a PITA when school/nursery need to know its been treated.

I'd just take him in as they look better. Plus the doctor said no antibiotics were necessary.

You can get drops from a pharmacy for future reference. You don't need a prescription.

The GP was correct: it is a self-limiting illness.
The school's policy is out of date and not in keeping with the current guidance from Public Health.

The doctor said it was mild enough to clear up on it's own without drops and it has, what do the school want you to do?! I know at my daughters play school if they actually still have conjunctivitis they will only let them go in if they are being treated, but I wouldn't send her regardless if she did have it because it's so contagious. I wouldn't even say anything, just take him in and if they mention it just say he's completely better now.

School is unreasonable. The Health Protection Agency has issued clear guidance that children don't need to be kept off school for conjunctivitis. And most conjunctivitis doesn't need antibiotics. Your GPs advice was spot on in keeping with this.

Clearly school think they know more about this that the professionals

For example, if you live in England:
"Guidance from Public Health England (PHE) (the Health Protection Agency) states that it is not necessary to exclude a child from school or from childcare if they have infective conjunctivitis, unless there is an outbreak of several cases. If an outbreak occurs, the school or childcare centre should seek advice from the PHE or other health professional."

your dr is right, school is wrong.

have a look at this on page 5

Ridiculous school policies over things like this make me see red. I wonder how many GP appts are wasted because parents feel obliged to take their child when there is no need. FFS!

^^ not your fault, OP, I know! Just a rant.

Ok wow, I'm so glad I didn't get an appointment yesterday, that would have been a massive waste of time.

He's had a day and a half off school for nothing then

Think I might email them that link mousmous

Buy Brolene eye drops from the chemist

Conjunctivitis is normally viral, I think (adenovirus). So antibiotics mostly not appropriate.

get them from prescribing chemist

mousmous - that document is really interesting...my DD has been asked to stay away from nursery for head lice for one day and for conjunctivitis

Where is this school, I want to move my DS there. It may be self limiting in most cases but can have disastrous effects on him.

I wish they would stop children going to school with it. Then I wouldn't have to worry about another five days in hospital on IV antibiotics for him.

Generally though, most people do not need to be treated.

It sounds like it was viral and eye drops will do nothing anyway. Take him in and argue the point, they're being absolutely ridiculous.

I am Ican see your point but conjunctivitis loves me. I get it a lot (some quite bad , been hospitalised once) and always have done, I would have had far too much time off school if I had to take 3 days off at a time because I wasn't allowed in.

Print the public health England info and take it in to school.

Antibiotic eyedrops can have side-effects. They increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and, in very rare cases, can even cause a potentially fatal blood disorder. NB this is very very rare (so don't worry if you have to use eyedrops occasionally) but the school should not be encouraging your DS to take medication he does not need.

Just buy them from Boots/any pharmacy?

I have had a similar issue with DS recently. Following on from what a few others have said, the school is out of step with Public Health guidance.

In our case thankfully his eyes cleared up by the time he was due back but I was going to print out the public health info and take it with me. DH said I would be seen as being pushy and that would be too much. I didn't think so? In my case I PAY nursery so I thought taking in the up to date info would be more than reasonable. Any views on this?

Sorry to hijack a bit OP!

Well I took him in this morning without notifying the office. I dropped him off at the door and his teacher took him in with a "well he looks fine", and that was the end of that

ah you are yet to learn the rules of what to say to school reception - never ever mention vomiting and diarrhea - 3 days exclusion instantly!

However next time he gets a mild infection like this get some Johnsons baby shampoo and put a drop in a little bit of water, using two separate pads of cotton wool, one for each eye, wipe away the goo.

Works really well! God knows what is in it that clears it up, worrying really.