A baby’s watery eye, known as epiphora, can be concerning for parents. While tears streaming without apparent crying may be alarming, this symptom often stems from benign and treatable conditions. Understanding the potential causes helps parents determine appropriate next steps, from home care to seeking medical advice.
Common Reasons for Infant Eye Watering
One frequent non-infectious reason for a baby’s watery eye is a blocked tear duct, or nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This occurs when the tear drainage system is not fully open at birth, causing tears to accumulate. This common condition affects 20% to 30% of newborns and typically resolves by their first birthday as the duct matures, often leading to persistent watering and sometimes mild stickiness or crusting, especially upon waking.
Environmental irritants can also cause excessive eye watering. Exposure to factors like dust, smoke, strong winds, or pet dander can irritate the eye, prompting increased tear production to flush out the irritant. If irritation resolves once the irritant is removed, it often points to an environmental cause.
Allergies can lead to watery and itchy eyes in infants. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when allergens such as pollen, mold, or dust mites trigger an immune response. Symptoms often include redness around the eye and in the eyeball, itching that may cause the baby to rub their eyes, and sometimes swollen eyelids. Unlike infections, allergic reactions typically affect both eyes and may be accompanied by other allergic symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose.
Infectious Causes of Eye Watering
Infections are another cause of infant eye watering, with conjunctivitis (pink eye) being a primary concern. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelid and eyeball. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria, each presenting with distinct symptoms.
Viral conjunctivitis often involves watery discharge and may start in one eye before spreading. It frequently accompanies symptoms of a common cold or respiratory infection, such as a sore throat or runny nose. Eyelids may also appear swollen, and sticky discharge might be present in the mornings.
Bacterial conjunctivitis, while less common than viral forms, typically presents with a thicker, pus-like yellow or green discharge. This discharge can cause eyelids to stick together, particularly after sleep. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious and spread through contact with eye secretions.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
While many instances of infant eye watering are not serious, certain signs warrant prompt medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider if your baby’s eye shows redness in the white part of the eye, significant eyelid swelling, or a pus-like yellow or green discharge. Other concerning symptoms include sensitivity to light, eye pain, or if the baby is constantly squeezing their eyes shut.
A doctor’s visit is also important if there is a firm lump near the inner corner of the eye, which could indicate a tear sac infection. Persistent watering that does not improve with home care, or if it continues beyond the baby’s first year, should also be discussed. These symptoms could signal rare but serious conditions such as congenital glaucoma or a corneal abrasion, requiring accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment from an ophthalmologist. A medical professional can differentiate causes, rule out underlying conditions, and prescribe treatments like antibiotics or recommend tear duct probing if a blockage persists.
General Care and Hygiene for Infant Eyes
Maintaining good eye hygiene is important for infants, especially when experiencing watery eyes. Before cleaning a baby’s eyes, wash hands thoroughly to prevent germ spread. Use a clean, soft washcloth or cotton ball moistened with warm, sterile water for cleaning.
Gently wipe the eye from the inner corner, near the nose, outwards towards the ear. Use a fresh part of the cloth or a new cotton ball for each wipe to avoid transferring discharge or infection from one eye to the other. This cleaning can be done a couple of times a day, particularly after waking when secretions may be more accumulated.
For babies with a blocked tear duct, a doctor may suggest a specific massage technique. This involves placing the tip of an index finger on the side of the baby’s nose, near the inner corner of the eye, and gently pressing downwards three to five times. This massage helps encourage the tear duct to open and is usually performed multiple times a day. It is also helpful to minimize exposure to environmental irritants like smoke and excessive dust. Avoid unprescribed eye drops, breast milk, or other home remedies unless advised by a doctor, as these may introduce further irritation or infection.