Ask Our Experts: Baby's 'Sticky Eye'
Sticky eye? Family GP, Dr Sue Morrison, suggests some common causes
and cures for this disorder.
Raisingkids
member's problem
My 4 month-old has a 'sticky eye' but my doctor says it's nothing to worry
about. Am I being fobbed off or will it really get better with time?
Dr Morrison's advice
About 25% of new babies have a persistently
watery eye from birth, with or without a pussy discharge. As long as the
eye itself is not inflamed, this is almost certainly due to poor drainage
of normal eye secretions from the eye. This happens when the channel from
the eye to the nose (naso-lacrimal duct) is blocked by a persistent membrane.
You can often see the opening - a pinprick hole in the inside corner of
the lower lid, near the lashes. In the first few weeks of life may not
be fully open.
Gently massaging the duct from the inside of the lower lid to the outside
rim may help. Also, camomile tea solution is a natural antiseptic and
is useful for bathing eyes. Brew it you would to drink, but let it cool
and apply it with cotton wool (stored it in the fridge between uses).
This problem spontaneously resolves itself in 95% of babies by their first
birthday but it may be necessary for most of the others to have a tiny
operation by an eye surgeon where the duct can be cleared using an extremely
fine surgical probe. If the eyes themselves are red, you should seek medical
help immediately, as conjunctivitis (usually picked up from infection
in the mother during birth) can cause serious vision threatening problems
in a few cases.
Please note:
The medical and health-related information on this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In the event of any physical or mental condition, seek the advice of a qualified doctor or other health professional without delay. Do not postpone medical treatment while awaiting a response from this site.
In an emergency always call 999 (UK only).
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