Apollo! This is a very popular local term used in describing the eyes that are red in Nigeria whether for adult or children. Almost everyone at one time or the other has had the “apollo”. There are lot of local myths surrounding the cause and treatment of “apollo” ranging from application of sugar or other dangerous materials to the eyes. Dr Kingsley Ezebuiro, a Consultant Optometrist recently discussed the topic on the Ask The Paediatricians Facebook Group and the essential points are highlighted in this article.
“Apollo” is the local name used to describe a red eye with sticky discharge and one tend not to look at the infected person believing that one may catch it.Funny though we do not catch it by looking but by contact. According to Greek mythology Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto. He was the god of music, healing, light etc. Though he was considered as a god of healing and medicine, he could also bring forth disease and plague with his arrows and was also able to prevent it.
Here in Nigeria, “Apollo” is seen as a contagious infection of the eye. The actual meaning or name for Apollo is Bacterial Conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is commonly referred to as red or pink eye. It is an inflammation of the transparent /mucous membrane (conjunctiva) covering the front surface of the eye down to the under surface of the eyelids.
There are different types of conjunctivitis example viral conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis but let’s focus on Bacterial and Viral Conjunctivitis. All do affect both the young and old.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and is commonly caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and other few species. This affects the eye(s) through contamination and spreads with contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces such as door handles, hand rails, toys, tonometer heads, towels etc.
Most bacterial conjunctivitis present as mucopurulent – sticky yellow-green eye discharge or pus noticed on awakening ; “Glued” eyelids/lashes associated with the sticky pus; Â red or pink eye; Â eye(s) feel sandy or gritty. It eventually spread of the infection from one eye to another. There is associated mild swelling of the eye lids.
The diagnosis requires clinical evaluation and sometimes culture samples may be needed. Most common cases of Bacterial Conjunctivitis do not require taking samples for confirmation as they resolve with topical antibiotics therapy except in specific cases.
The treatment requires topical (eye drops and/or ointments) antibiotics therapy. Systemic antibiotics could be administered in specific cases/rare cases. Treatment could take 5-14 days except in severe cases.
It is important to maintain strict hygiene to stop spread. Â The hygiene measures include
- Regular washing of  your hands properly with soap and clean water.
- Alternatively have hand sanitizer for disinfecting your hands.
- Ensure you disinfect your floors often.
- Do not rub your eyes if you may have made contacts with people outside your safe environment.
- Cover your mouth if you have to sneeze or cough
- Clean one eye at a time with soft tissue or wipes and discard properly.
Viral Conjunctivitis is another type of conjunctivitis and highly contagious infection caused by adenovirus. A few of the adenovirus are involved in causing eye infection. Some are mild while some are severe and highly contagious example Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis(EKC) and Pharyngoconjunctival fever (PCF).
Viral Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the front part of the eyeball caused by virus and could be spread by sneezing, tearing/watery eye discharges from an infected person through dire tor indirect contact, contaminated flannels, towels, tools, tonometer heads, toys technology. It may be associated with common colds or respiratory infection symptoms like sore throat.
Most viral conjunctivitis present as tearing or watery eye discharge, redness, photophobia (intolerance of light), feeling very uncomfortable in the eye, tender swelling of the lymph nodes, corneal involvement and inflammatory cells of tarsal conjunctiva could be seen in severe cases and may cause decrease in vision. It occurs in just one eye at first and most likely affects the other a few days later.
The treatment entails taking adequate measures to avoid spread. Children affected should be kept out of school until fully resolved.
Viral Conjunctivitis usually is self-limiting meaning it could resolve on its own in about 1 week for mild cases and up to 3 weeks in severe cases. Cold compress is also beneficial to soothe the eye. Attention must be paid to good personal hygiene as well. Severe cases may require corticosteroids as treatment.
In summary, “apollo” cases are due to infections (viral and bacterial) which require adequate treatment by the professionals. Avoid unconventional  treatment recommended by uninformed people to avoid any irreversible damage to the eyes.
If you suspect you have any of the conjunctivitis please do well to visit your #Optometrist for proper evaluation and treatment. Thanks.
Thanks so much ma for all this knowledge boosting.God bless you and your team.I have learnt somuch from this ma
Thank you for your kind words Chinonye. I am happy you are learning something. That is my goal too…to ensure that mothers are well-informed about health care of children o our children will not die but live!
Doc, pls my daughter of 9 months Have been having NRA or NLA for long now. Her peadetrician gave me hydrocortisone cream . I have bben applying that for long now it seems not to be working. Thanks for helping a helpless mother.
Have you read the post on EELA, NLA ? If not, do that first. Unfortunately atopic dermatitis tends to wax and wane…that is come and go so you need to exercise lot of patience. You may also want to see a Dermatologist for further management
Hello Dr gbemisola ma, my newborn who is 3days old has a blood patch in his eyes, though it’s only covering half of each eye. Noticed one of the eye after birth but the second eye got red a day after. Please what could be the cause and what do I do to clear it? Thank you so much ma for this forum, God bless your hardwork. Amen.
It is most likely blood from delivery process in the eyes. We call it subconjunctival haemorrhage. There is really no need to do anything. It will resolve spontaneously on its own. Simply LEAVE IT ALONE!!! PLEASE DO NOT PUT BREAST MILK IN THE EYES OR ANYTHING ELSE!!!
Didn’t know that
Now you know
Hello Doc, my son is 5 weeks old he has tearing eyes after sometimes it will now be whitish in his eye .I did eye swab no bacteria found, and different eye drdrop yet no improve ment pls advise.
There is noo need to put any eyedrop if the discharge is whitish and only in the morning. Kindly clean with soft cotton wool and water preferably normal saline. Just leave it alone. However if the discharge is like pus, you should see a Paediatrician or Ophthalmologist for further management.
Good evening ma my baby if two months old have conjuctivities,I already bought eye drop and have used it on him twice but I was later told I should apply breast milk instead…….please what should I do ma
Please do not apply any breast milk to the eyes. Breast milk is food and not antibiotics. Please also do not self medicate. Take your baby to the hospital for proper evaluation by a Paediatrician or Opthalmologist.
Hello doctor, my newborn has the red blood in her eyes but my mother soaked unripe pawpaw and gave her to drink and pour some in her eyes. hope it will not have any side effect on my baby… God bless you ma’am
Please STOP!!! Just leave the baby alone!! The blood in the eyes will clear on its own…it is usually bllod during delivery entering the eyes. You do not have to do anything!
Does chlorophanco eye drop treat Apollo???
Do you mean chloramphenicol eye drop? This can be used but only if prescribed by a Paediatrician
Good afternoon doctor, my 9 months old baby has appollo, though it was contacted from infected people, please, what can I use?
Hi Mariam…I am not sure what you have used….However you need to take the baby to the hospital for proper evaluation and treatment by the doctors. Please read the article for complete information as well on how to clean the eyes as well.
Good evening doctor my four months old baby left eye pupil is bigger than the right eye.pls ma can it be corrected
Hi Leonice…It is important to know why one pupil is greater than the other first and that will determine if it is something that can be corrected. I will advise you see an Ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for further evaluation first.
Good evening ma. My one week old baby has a red eye. Please what do I give him. I once had this red eyes Last week but I’ve been on medication and I’m fine now but I noticed that my baby’s eye became red today
You need to see your doctor who can prescribe appropriate antibiotics eyedrops.
Please help, I have Apollo, though I tried as much to avoid my son(19months) and hubby but this afternoon o just discovered white thing on his face why trying to put him to bed. What can I do
….really worried
Nothing…simply clean the discharge with clean cloth and water….if the discharge persists then see a doctor. Ensure you also wash your hands with sopa and water frequently and avoid touching the eyes often.
good afternoon doc. my three month baby have Apollo he contact it from the cousin for two days please what precaution will I take and treatment
You should get the baby to the hospital for proper treatment. Meanwhile, you should wash your hands and also clean the eyes with cloth dipped in clean water.
The article is very informative. Your response to comments ma, is quite impressive. My baby contacted apollo and I was worried, but I need not ask any further questions. God bless you Dr Gbemi
Thank you. If you have any questions that need urgent answers, please post on our Ask The Paediatricians Facebook group here
Hello Dr, please my 6years old just had appolo today, please I don’t want it to get worst further, and I don’t want my 4 month old baby to contact it. What should I do?
You should go to the hospital and see a doctor for treatment and read our post for first aid care at home