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What Causes Watery Eyes In An Infant?

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Posted on Fri, 28 Apr 2017
Question: Hi Doctor,
My daughter is 3.5 months old.
Her left eye gets watery and lot of sticky/dry eye dirt/mucus comes at corner of the eye. We are doing massage at eye corner (near nose) and using Tobacin eye drop but, the problem is not resolved.

Please suggest.

Regards,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.

Most likely your daughter is having conjunctivitis. It can be bacterial, viral or allergic. Eye discharge associated with it is typically clear and watery, but may include a white or light yellow mucus component. Bacterial conjunctivitis, as the name indicates, is caused by bacterial infection and can be sight-threatening if not treated promptly.

Treatment:

Wash her eyes thrice daily with cold water use cotton buds.
Don't let her rub eyes with fingers.

Stop Tobacin, instead use Moxifloxacin pediatric eye drop 2 drops twice daily.
Cefixime syrup (prescription drug) can be given at 1ml/kg body weight.
Cetrizine (antihistaminic) can be given 1ml once daily.

Keep eyes dry.
Don't use XXXXXXX etc.
Avoid touching eyes with hands or fingers.

It will take 2-3 days to settle down.

Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (13 minutes later)
Hi Doctor,
Thanks for your reply.

Just to add....this problem is since birth and initially (initial 2-3 weeks) it used to be only watery but, after that it is associated with white/light yellow mucus.

We are cleaning her eye with wet cotton thrice or four times daily as suggested by pediatrician and doing massage. Pls suggest if we shall continue massage?

It's been 2.5 months since we are doing massage. Tobacin we were using randomly. Pls suggest.

Regards,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Most likely it's bacterial infection.
Just start her on the treatment already suggested(after discussing with your pediatrician).
Don't massage her eyes as it increases risk of contamination.

A swab culture should be taken from eyes to see the cause of infection(which bacteria is involved specifically).

Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (23 hours later)
Hi Doctor,
We have visited many peidatricians and all of them are of the opinion that some duct is blocked (as it is by birth so they ruled out the possibility of infection) and emphasized on massage only but, there is no improvement yet.

Do you think it can be this duct blockage issue? Pls suggest

Regards,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can be congenital dacrocyclitis.

Detailed Answer:
hi again,
Yes it may be congenital dacrocyclitis the duct connecting lacrimal gland with nose nasolacrimal duct is either blocked or is inflammed.
Most of the cases are selflimiting and problem resolves on its own as child grows up.
However a swab culture should be done to rule out bacterial sensitivity.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 238 Questions

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What Causes Watery Eyes In An Infant?

Brief Answer: Bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis. Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query. Most likely your daughter is having conjunctivitis. It can be bacterial, viral or allergic. Eye discharge associated with it is typically clear and watery, but may include a white or light yellow mucus component. Bacterial conjunctivitis, as the name indicates, is caused by bacterial infection and can be sight-threatening if not treated promptly. Treatment: Wash her eyes thrice daily with cold water use cotton buds. Don't let her rub eyes with fingers. Stop Tobacin, instead use Moxifloxacin pediatric eye drop 2 drops twice daily. Cefixime syrup (prescription drug) can be given at 1ml/kg body weight. Cetrizine (antihistaminic) can be given 1ml once daily. Keep eyes dry. Don't use XXXXXXX etc. Avoid touching eyes with hands or fingers. It will take 2-3 days to settle down. Regards