Common Illnesses
Blocked Tear Duct (Dacryostenosis)
Blocked tear duct affects 5-20% of newborns. Tear duct (connects inner eye corner to nose) doesn't open fully at birth, causing tears and discharge.
Symptoms: watery eyes (tearing without crying), yellow/white discharge in eye corner, crusting on eyelashes (especially after sleep), mildly red or pink eye white. Usually affects one eye but can be both.
Most blocked tear ducts open on their own by 12 months. Different from pink eye - discharge is white/yellow (not green), eye white is not very red, and baby seems comfortable.
What to Do
- Gently massage tear duct: Place clean finger at inner eye corner and massage downward toward nose
- Do massage 2-3 times per day, 5-10 strokes each time (helps open duct)
- Clean away discharge with warm water on soft cloth (wipe from inner to outer corner)
- Use breast milk on cotton swab to clean eye (has antibodies that may help)
- Continue breastfeeding - antibodies in milk may help prevent infection
- Watch for signs of infection: Very red eye, thick green discharge, swelling, fever
- Most cases resolve by 6-12 months without treatment
- If not resolved by 12 months: Doctor may refer to eye specialist for probing procedure
- Keep fingernails short when massaging to avoid scratching baby's delicate eye area
When to call a doctor
Call doctor if eye is very red, swollen, or painful, discharge is thick green, baby has fever, or you see redness/swelling in inner corner of eye near nose (sign of infection).