Watery eyes and sticky or goopy discharge are common symptoms in infants that often concern new parents. This frequent occurrence reflects that the baby’s ocular system is still adjusting and developing. While seeing mucus or crusting around the eyes can be alarming, the underlying causes are usually manageable. Understanding the tear drainage system helps explain why these symptoms appear in early life.
The Most Common Culprit: Blocked Tear Ducts
The most frequent reason for a baby’s watery and sticky eye is dacryostenosis, or a blocked nasolacrimal duct. This duct carries tears from the eye surface into the nose. In about 6% of newborns, a thin membrane at the end of this duct, called the Valve of Hasner, may not have fully opened at birth, causing an obstruction.
When the tear drainage system is blocked, tears pool on the eye’s surface and often overflow onto the cheek. This stagnant pool mixes with normal eye mucus, creating the mild white or yellowish discharge and crusting parents observe. Symptoms are often noticed a few weeks after birth since newborns produce few tears initially. This obstruction typically affects only one eye, though it can occur in both, and discharge may increase when the baby cries or is exposed to wind or cold air.
The primary at-home management technique is a nasolacrimal duct massage, sometimes called the “Milking” technique. The goal is to create enough pressure to push fluid through and open the membrane. Parents should use a clean index finger to apply moderate pressure to the side of the nose, near the inner corner of the eye where the eyelids meet. While maintaining pressure, the finger is gently slid downward one to two centimeters to “milk” the contents of the tear sac into the duct. This action should be repeated three to five times, two to three times a day, and most blocked ducts resolve on their own by the baby’s first birthday.
Identifying Signs of Infection
While a blocked tear duct is the most common cause, a baby’s watery or goopy eye can also signal an infection, most often conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Infectious conjunctivitis in infants can be either viral or bacterial, and the discharge characteristics differ between them.
Viral conjunctivitis typically produces a clear, thin, and watery discharge, often associated with a concurrent upper respiratory infection, such as a common cold. This form is highly contagious and frequently starts in one eye before spreading to the other. In contrast, bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by a thicker, mucopurulent discharge that is yellow or greenish, often causing the eyelids to stick together after sleep.
A less common cause is chemical conjunctivitis, which occurs as a temporary reaction to the eye drops or ointments administered at birth to prevent serious infections. Symptoms are usually mild redness and puffiness and resolve on their own within one to three days, requiring no specific treatment. Regardless of the type, infections are contagious, so practicing good hand hygiene is important to prevent transmission.
Managing the Discharge: Safe Cleaning Practices
Managing the discharge, or “mattering,” keeps the baby comfortable and prevents secondary skin irritation. Parents should always wash their hands thoroughly before cleaning to prevent introducing new bacteria. The eyes should be cleaned using a soft material, such as a cotton ball, cotton pad, or a clean cloth, moistened with lukewarm water or sterile saline solution.
The proper technique involves wiping gently from the inner corner of the eye, near the nose, outward toward the ear in one smooth motion. This directional wiping moves the discharge away from the tear duct openings. It is necessary to use a fresh, clean cotton ball or a new section of the cloth for each single wipe and to discard it immediately. This practice prevents potential infection from spreading across the eye or to the other eye.
Warning Signs That Require a Doctor’s Visit
While many cases of sticky eyes are benign and self-resolving, certain warning signs indicate a need for immediate medical evaluation. Any infant under 28 days old with eye discharge should be seen by a doctor immediately to rule out serious infections acquired during birth.
Parents should seek prompt medical care if the baby develops swelling of the eyelids or the skin around the eye, especially if the area is tender or shows redness extending beyond the eye. Other concerning symptoms include severe light sensitivity (photophobia) or difficulty keeping the eye open. A fever accompanying the discharge, a visibly cloudy cornea, or a thick, severe purulent discharge that persists despite cleaning are also red flags requiring professional attention.