In some newborn babies one or both eyes become watery and sticky, particularly after a sleep. This is common and usually goes without any treatment.
Normal tear production
To avoid damage to the sensitive surface of the eye it needs to be kept moist. To do this and to help remove debris, the eye produces a tear film. The tear film is made up from three layers - the main middle watery layer, the thin outer lipid (oily) layer, and the thin inner mucous layer.
The watery fluid of tears comes from the lacrimal glands which are just above, and to the outer side, of each eye. These glands constantly make a small amount of watery fluid which drains on to the upper part of the eyes. When we blink, the eyelid spreads the tears over the front of the eye.
Tiny glands in the eyelids (meibomian glands) make a small amount of lipid (oily) liquid which covers the outer layer of the tear film. This layer helps to keep the tear surface smooth and to reduce evaporation of the watery tears.
The tears then drain down small channels (canaliculi) on the inner side of the eye into a tear sac. From here they flow down a channel called the tear duct (also called the nasolacrimal duct) into the nose.
What causes the blocked tear duct in babies?
Eyes can become watery either because you make too many tears (for example crying), or because the tear duct is blocked. The usual cause of a watering eye in a newborn baby is a delay in the normal development and opening of the tear duct. It is just that it is not quite developed fully at the time of birth. About 1 in 5 newborn babies will have a tear duct that is not quite fully developed. It can affect one or both eyes.
Rarely, other abnormalities of the eye or eyelids can cause a blockage of tears in babies.
How does it get better?
In time, the tear duct usually finishes developing and the problem goes. This typically happens within a few weeks after birth. In some babies it can take several months. So, you will normally be advised just to wait and see if the problem goes. If the tear duct is still blocked by about 12 months of age, your doctor may refer your baby to an eye specialist. An option is for a specialist to perform a procedure where a very thin instrument is passed into the tear duct to open up the duct. The procedure is usually successful.
Sometimes referral to a specialist may be done sooner if the problem is particularly troublesome, or if a rare abnormality is suspected to be the cause.
Is it serious?
Usually not. A typical case is as follows: tear production in newborn babies may take a week to start, so you may not notice watery eyes at first. You may then notice one or both eyes becoming watery. The baby is usually not bothered. Sometimes after a sleep the affected eye looks sticky. You may have to wipe away some glue-like material. The eyeball looks healthy and white. After the problem seems to have gone, if the child has a cold, the watery eyes may return for the duration of the cold. This is because the newly opened tear duct may become blocked by mucus.
What should be done?
Usually nothing, as it normally goes away without treatment. If gluey material develops then wipe it away with some moistened cotton wool. Ideally, moisten the cotton wool with sterile water (cool water that has previously been boiled). It may help if you massage the tear duct six times a day. To do this, use gentle pressure on the outside of the nose. This may help to clear pooled tears in the blocked duct. It may also help the tear duct to develop.
Slight redness of the eyeball may come and go. This is due to mild inflammation, and no treatment is needed. Sometimes this may develop into a conjunctivitis (infection of the outer part of the eye). The eye may then look inflamed and red. This is not usually serious. Antibiotic eye drops are sometimes prescribed to help clear conjunctivitis.
As mentioned, rarely, a watering eye in a baby is due to other eye problems. With the typical problem where the blockage is due to a late-developing tear duct, the eyeball is usually white and the baby is well and not bothered by the watering eye. The following symptoms may indicate a different problem. If they occur, see a doctor:
- If the eye becomes inflamed, angry or red.
- If the baby rubs the eye a lot or seems in pain.
- If the baby does not like to open their eye, or light seems to hurt the baby's eye.
- If the structure of an eye or eyelids does not seem right.
Further reading & references
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction, College of Optometrists (January 2009)
- Takahashi Y, Kakizaki H, Chan WO, et al; Management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Acta Ophthalmol. 2009 Jul 21.
- Repka MX, Melia BM, Beck RW, et al; Primary treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction with balloon catheter dilation J AAPOS. 2008 Oct;12(5):451-5.
- Camara J et al, Obstruction Nasolacrimal Duct, Medscape, Jan 2010
- Anijeet D, Dolan L, Macewen CJ; Endonasal versus external dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jan 19;(1):CD007097.
|Original Author: Dr Tim Kenny||Current Version: Dr Laurence Knott||Peer Reviewer: Dr Tim Kenny|
|Last Checked: 18/11/2011||Document ID: 4209 Version: 40||© EMIS|
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