Infant eye discharge, often called “eye boogers,” is common and usually benign. It is frequently a normal part of infant development, though understanding its causes helps differentiate typical occurrences from those needing medical attention. Many cases resolve without intervention.
Understanding Infant Eye Discharge
Infant eye discharge is a mixture of tears, mucus, oil, and dead skin cells that accumulate in the corners of a baby’s eyes. Blinking helps clear this debris during the day, but it can build up while a baby sleeps, leading to crusty or sticky eyes upon waking. Tears are continuously produced by lacrimal glands to keep the eye surface clean and lubricated. These tears normally drain through small openings called puncta and then through tear ducts into the nose, efficiently flushing away excess fluid and debris.
Common Causes of Eye Boogers
The most frequent reason for infant eye boogers is a blocked tear duct, medically known as nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This occurs when the tear duct is too narrow or has not fully opened at birth, preventing proper tear drainage. Tears and other substances then back up, leading to watery eyes and sticky discharge. This condition often resolves on its own, typically within the first year of life.
Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, is another cause of eye discharge, indicating an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. Bacterial conjunctivitis often presents with thick, pus-like yellow or green discharge that can cause eyelids to stick together. Viral conjunctivitis, frequently associated with a common cold, usually produces watery or clear discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis results from irritants like pollen and can cause watery, itchy eyes.
Environmental irritants such as dust, smoke, or chemicals can also lead to temporary eye discharge. The eyes produce excess tears and mucus as a protective response. These irritations typically resolve quickly once the irritant is removed, though they can contribute to eye boogers.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If a baby’s eye or eyelid appears red, swollen, or tender, it could signal a more serious underlying issue. The presence of excessive, thick, yellow, or green pus-like discharge that persists or worsens despite home care is a reason to consult a healthcare professional. Additional symptoms like a fever accompanying eye discharge, sensitivity to light, or a baby rubbing their eyes excessively suggest discomfort or infection. Any change in vision or if the discharge causes the eyelids to be matted shut should prompt an immediate medical evaluation.
Safe Cleaning and Home Care
For managing infant eye boogers at home, gentle and hygienic cleaning is important. Use a clean, warm, damp cloth or cotton ball to carefully wipe away discharge. Wipe from the inner corner of the eye, near the nose, outwards towards the ear. Use a fresh part of the cloth or a new cotton ball for each wipe and for each eye to prevent spreading infection.
If a blocked tear duct is suspected, and with a doctor’s recommendation, a gentle massage technique can be performed. This involves placing a clean finger or cotton tip on the side of the baby’s nose, near the inner corner of the eye, and applying light pressure while stroking downwards towards the nostril. This action can help to open the blocked duct and encourage drainage.
Hand washing is a crucial step before and after touching a baby’s eyes to minimize the risk of introducing or spreading bacteria. Parents should avoid using breast milk or other unproven remedies directly in the eye without specific medical advice, as these lack scientific evidence for effectiveness and could potentially introduce contaminants.