A baby’s watering eye can be a source of concern for parents. While often a benign condition, understanding the underlying reasons and knowing when to take action can provide reassurance. This article covers common causes and effective home care strategies.
Common Reasons for Watering Eyes
A frequent reason for a baby’s watering eye is a blocked tear duct. This occurs when the tear drainage system is not fully open at birth or becomes obstructed. Tears, unable to drain properly, accumulate on the eye’s surface and spill over, leading to a watery appearance. This condition can affect one or both eyes, often presenting shortly after birth.
Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” is another common cause, involving inflammation of the conjunctiva. In infants, this can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, or sometimes by irritation from chemicals or allergens. The inflammation can lead to increased tear production, as well as redness, swelling, and sometimes discharge.
Allergies can also contribute to watering eyes in infants. Exposure to allergens like dust, pollen, or pet dander can trigger an allergic reaction, causing the eyes to become watery, itchy, and sometimes red. This immune response leads to excessive tear production to flush out irritants.
A foreign object in the eye can cause immediate and persistent watering. The eye naturally produces more tears to dislodge the irritant. Once the object is removed, the watering typically resolves quickly.
Home Care and Comfort Measures
For a baby with a watering eye, gentle cleaning is a home care measure. Using a clean, soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with warm water, carefully wipe the eye from the inner corner near the nose outwards. This motion helps remove accumulated tears or discharge and prevents spreading irritants.
Maintaining good hygiene is important to prevent secondary infections. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your baby’s eyes. Regularly change and wash bedding and any cloths that come into contact with the baby’s face.
For blocked tear ducts, a gentle massage technique is beneficial. With a clean finger, apply light pressure to the area between the inner corner of the eye and the side of the nose, gently massaging downwards. This helps open the tear duct and encourage drainage. This massage can be performed several times a day.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention if your baby’s watering eye is accompanied by signs of infection. Persistent redness in the white part of the eye or around the eyelid indicates inflammation or infection. Swelling of the eyelids or the area around the eye warrants a professional evaluation.
Pus-like or thick, colored discharge from the eye suggests a bacterial infection. If your baby develops a fever alongside eye symptoms, this could signal a more widespread infection. Sensitivity to light is a symptom that warrants a doctor’s visit.
If the watering persists for an extended period without improvement despite home care, consult a doctor. Any changes in the eye’s appearance or your baby’s behavior warrant a consultation with a healthcare professional.
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
When you consult a doctor for your baby’s watering eye, the diagnostic process begins with a thorough physical examination. The doctor will gather a detailed medical history, including symptom onset and your baby’s overall health. This assessment helps differentiate between common causes like blocked tear ducts, conjunctivitis, or other conditions.
For bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops or ointment are prescribed. If a blocked tear duct is suspected, the doctor may recommend gentle massage techniques, as many resolve on their own within the first year of life. In some cases, a procedure called lacrimal duct probing may be suggested if the blockage persists beyond a certain age or causes recurrent infections.
If allergies are determined to be the cause, the doctor might suggest ways to minimize allergen exposure. If a foreign object is lodged in the eye, a medical professional can safely extract it. Should the condition be complex or resistant to initial treatments, a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist may be recommended.