Cold in newborn eyes

Newborn Eye Discharge | Yellow, Green, or White

Your beautiful bundle of joy has arrived!

When you become a parent for the first time or again, you certainly need to navigate all the interesting problems your newborn might have.

One of these is your baby’s eye discharge. This condition can certainly be confusing and you might have questions.

Do I need to seek medical advice? Is this normal for my baby? What can I do to help with this?

We will try to answer many questions about newborn discharge, its varying colors, and its causes.

What is a newborn eye discharge?

Discharge from the eye in newborns is usually a normal process and clears quite quickly.

It might be your newborn is clearing some of the fluids that are around at the time of birth. It can also happen as a result of a blocked tear duct.

Sometimes only one eye is affected. In this case, it’s more likely to be due to a blocked tear duct rather than an infection.

Some eye discharges, however, aren’t normal and warrant further investigation.

Let’s take a further look into the different types of discharge from eyes.

Newborn eye discharge causes

The main cause of discharge in a new baby’s eye is a blocked tear duct. This can clear up on its own after several months.

Other causes of discharge might be infections, such as pink eye or conjunctivitis.

The color of the discharge might be different depending on the causes. Keep reading for more information about what might be causing discharge in your infant’s eyes.

Newborn yellow eye discharge

Yellow discharge from the eye can be the result of your baby having a blocked tear duct. It can also be due to any type of eye infection.

Often the eye appears sticky and the eyelids will stick together a little bit.

It’s recommended you seek medical advice if your child has yellow discharge from the eye. Your doctor can determine whether the duct has a blockage or an eye infection is the cause.

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Newborn green eye discharge

Green discharge of the eye in your baby is usually is due to infection, and you will see symptoms like a red or puffy eye and swollen eyelids.

If your baby has green discharge from the eyes you should seek medical advice. You can consult your midwife or doctor before seeing an eye doctor or ophthalmologist.

Newborn white eye discharge

White discharge from the eye is usually normal for a newborn and is due to a blocked tear duct. It will disappear over the next few weeks.

The blockage tends to be in only one eye or tear duct, but can be in both.

Eye infections that affect newborns

Conjunctivitis (pinkeye) is the main type of eye infection in new babies.

Newborns with symptoms of conjunctivitis should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is red eye in a newborn, caused by infection, irritation, or a blocked tear duct.

When caused by an infection, neonatal conjunctivitis is a concern and can be very serious. In newborns it can result in eye damage.

There are different types of conjunctivitis including:

Inclusion (chlamydial) conjunctivitis. Women with untreated chlamydia can pass this to their newborns during vaginal birth
Gonococcal conjunctivitis. Women with untreated gonorrhea can pass this to their babies as they are birthed through the birth canal
Chemical conjunctivitis. This occurs when the baby’s eye(s) are irritated by medicated eye drops.

You might want to read Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in Newborns for more information.

Can a cold cause eye discharge in newborns?

If your baby has the signs of a cold, you might also notice one or both eyes are watery. Colds can cause eye drainage problems.

A cold can cause excess mucus, which can then affect the eyes and nose. This is usually seen as a watery discharge in the eyes. If the color is yellow or green, though, it’s more likely to be an infection.

If drainage in the eyes improves and the discharge disappears when the cold goes, this is a good indication it was just a cold affecting your infant’s eyes.

The treatment for colds is to keep fluids up; it should pass quickly.

Pink eye in newborns

As described above, pink eye in newborns is also conjunctivitis caused by viral or bacterial infections, or an allergy accompanied by swollen and red eyes.

The baby is usually very irritated by this and often will want lots of cuddles and possibly not want to be put down.

Seek medical advice if you think your baby has pink eye; antibiotics might be required to clear the infection.

If you would like more information about symptoms of conjunctivitis, please read Conjunctivitis in Babies – Treatment and Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis.

Newborn eye discharge treatment

Treatment depends on whether there is an infection and the type that’s present.

It’s important to seek medical advice if you’re not sure what’s causing the discharge.

For non-infected eyes, you can treat discharge from the eye in newborns at home.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a fancy name for a blocked tear duct. This can occur in an adult or a newborn.

Tears normally drain through little openings in the corner of the eyelids and enter the nose through little tubes called nasolacrimal ducts.

Watery eyes in young children are often caused by a problem with the tear drainage of the eye, when tear ducts are blocked.

How do I unclog a baby’s tear duct?

Usually, a blocked tear duct will open up on its own, especially if your baby is under 6 months of age.

The best way to help the tear duct unblock is to massage the eye area gently.

You might like to apply a few drops of breast milk to the area beforehand.

Apply gentle pressure towards the opening of the duct, along the upper part of your baby’s nose, then along the lower eyelid.

Parents who aren’t sure how to do tear duct massage can ask their doctor or midwife to demonstrate.

You might want to see a doctor if you’re not sure whether a blocked tear duct is the problem.

Breastmilk and newborns eye infection

Breastmilk is often recommended to assist in healing infections and unblocking tear ducts in newborns. Best of all, it’s an easy treatment to do at home; it’s effective and costs nothing.

There is a good reason breastmilk is recommended. This wonderful fluid contains white blood cells, antibodies, enzymes, and other substances that boost your baby’s immune defenses.

It’s gentle and won’t irritate your baby’s skin or eyes.

Newborn eye discharge and saline solution

Saline solution is essentially salt and water. It’s recommended to purchase saline eyedrops from a chemist.

You can put drops into the baby’s nose to assist in moving mucus and clearing nasal passages.

The saline eye drop will also help to unblock the tear duct if that’s the cause of discharge.

When will newborn eye swelling go down?

Almost all infants have puffy eyes after they are born. This is technically known as eyelid edema and is related to the pressure on the face as they pass through the birth canal.

Usually, this swelling is minimal, but might make it look as if your newborn is having trouble opening his eyes. In nearly all infants, it usually settles down after a few days.

If newborns develop signs of conjunctivitis, the swelling doesn’t settle and their eyes might also look red and tender. They will also develop a discharge that appears watery or viscous. This can make their eyelids stick together. This condition requires antibiotic treatment.

If you find the swelling or eyelid edema does not settle, or if your newborn experiences the symptoms of infection, see your doctor or midwife.

Is it normal and how to treat it?

Eye discharge is common in newborns and typically occurs due to a blocked tear duct. However, parents and caregivers can often treat this at home.

Eye discharge is typically harmless and self-resolving. However, discharge that occurs alongside other symptoms in the eye area, such as swelling or tenderness, could indicate an infection or another eye problem. A parent or caregiver of a newborn with these symptoms will need to consult a doctor.

This article discusses how common eye discharge is and explains how to treat it at home. We also cover medical treatment, other causes, complications, and when to contact a doctor.

Eye discharge in newborns is common and rarely a cause for concern. A common cause of eye discharge is a blocked tear duct.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, almost 20% of newborns have a blocked tear duct. This condition can occur because the end of the tear duct does not open properly when the baby is born.

Tears form in the lacrimal gland, which sits just above the eye. Tear fluid helps clean and lubricate the surface of the eye. When a person blinks, the eyelids sweep the tear fluid into these ducts, which drain it into the nose.

If something blocks a tear duct, fluid may no longer be able to drain away from the eye’s surface. Blockages can cause very watery eyes, and sticky discharge may form in the corners.

Learn more about blocked tear ducts.

Blocked tear ducts are a common cause of eye discharge in infants. However, other conditions and factors can also cause discharge.

Conjunctivitis

Eye discharge in newborns can also be a sign of conjunctivitis or pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that protects the front of the eye. Unlike a blocked tear duct, conjunctivitis often causes the white part of the eye to appear red.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis in newborns can include:

drainage or discharge that develops between 5 and 12 days after birth
puffy or tender eyelids, often with skin discoloration
red, irritated eyes

Conjunctivitis in newborns can sometimes occur alongside a blocked tear duct. However, a pregnant person can also pass on a bacterial or viral infection to their baby when giving birth, leading to conjunctivitis.

Learn more about the symptoms of eye infections.

Chemical irritation

Chemical irritation can also cause conjunctivitis in newborns. Healthcare professionals often give antibacterial eye drops to newborns to prevent infections. These eye drops can sometimes cause irritation that can result in conjunctivitis symptoms.

Learn more about eye irritation.

If the eye discharge is due to a blocked tear duct, it will usually resolve without treatment within 4–6 months.

However, wind, cold weather, and strong sunlight can also worsen symptoms, so a parent or caregiver should aim to protect a newborn’s eyes from these elements.

Clearing discharge

A parent or caregiver can often treat a newborn with a blocked tear duct at home. Before touching the area close to the child’s eyes, it is essential to wash the hands with soap and warm water to prevent infections. A person should also take care to rinse the hands thoroughly after cleaning them to avoid getting soap in the baby’s eye.

To clear away discharge, dip a clean piece of gauze or soft cloth in some lukewarm water, then gently wipe the corner of the eye. If a blocked tear duct affects both eyes, always use a new area of the cloth or gauze to clean the other eye.

Tearduct massage

A doctor may also recommend gently massaging the blocked tear duct to help it open, and they will demonstrate how to do this safely.

To massage the tear duct:

Lightly press the tip of the index finger against the inside bridge of the newborn’s nose, on the side of the blocked tear duct.
Make 2 or 3 short downward strokes with the finger along the side of the nose. These should be gentle but firm.
Perform the massage twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening.

If the side of the newborn’s nose becomes red or swollen, stop the massage immediately and contact a doctor.

In newborns, blocked tear ducts tend to open up within several months of birth. However, medical intervention may be necessary in some cases.

Surgery

If the blockage has not gone away by the baby is 1 year of age, a doctor may recommend a medical treatment called a nasolacrimal duct probing.

This procedure involves inserting a small probe into the infant’s tear duct. By using probes that gradually increase in size, a doctor will be able to open up the tear duct. They will then use a saline solution to flush out any remaining debris.

Sometimes, the doctor may also insert a small tube, or stent, into the duct to keep it open.

Probing is usually successful in opening the tear duct. For children with a severe blockage, a doctor may recommend a more complicated surgical procedure called a dacryocystorhinostomy to clear out and open the tear duct.

Antibiotics

If an infection is causing eye discharge, the newborn will need prompt medical attention. To treat cases of infectious discharge, a doctor may prescribe topical, oral, or intravenous antibiotics.

Blocked tear ducts can sometimes lead to an infection called dacryocystitis. Symptoms of this condition may include:

excessive thick discharge from the eye
redness in the corner of the eye
a tender bump or swelling at the side of the nose
fever

If a newborn has any of these symptoms, a parent or caregiver should consult a doctor.

Newborns with eye discharge or very watery eyes should speak with a pediatrician or an eye doctor specializing in children, called a pediatric ophthalmologist. These healthcare professionals can diagnose the cause of the discharge and check for signs of infection.

Parents or caregivers should seek medical attention if an infant’s eye discharge persists for more than 6 months.

Newborns with signs of an eye infection require immediate medical attention. Signs of an eye infection can include:

sore or puffy eyes
swollen eyelids
yellow or green pus or discharge
a bump or swelling on the inside corner of the eye

If a parent or caregiver notices any of these symptoms, they should contact a doctor immediately.

Eye discharge in newborns is common and often results from a blocked tear duct. The blockage will usually clear up by itself within 4 to 6 months.

However, newborns with eye redness, eye discharge, or excessive watering of the eyes should speak with a doctor to diagnose the cause and rule out an eye infection.

Parents and caregivers can treat a baby with a blocked tear duct at home by wiping away any discharge and gently massaging the area twice a day. A doctor can demonstrate how to do this.

Discoloration, swelling, or soreness in the eye can indicate an eye infection. Speak with a doctor immediately if an infant has these signs.

Redness of the eyes in children

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Watery eyes in the cold - causes and solutions

Increased tearing is characteristic of many people. Such a problem can be caused by a natural reaction or be the result of serious disturbances in the functioning of the organ of vision.

Various factors can provoke increased tearing:

natural defense reaction of the body;
cold conjunctivitis;
solar allergy;
excessive sensitivity of the cornea to weather changes;
age-related changes;
dry eye syndrome;
weakening of the conductivity of the lacrimal canal;
penetration of a foreign body into the eye;
vitamin deficiency.

The body's natural defenses

Tears are formed to protect the eye from the adverse effects of cold and wind. Do not worry if there are few tears, and they cease to stand out after the elimination of the irritating factor.

Cold conjunctivitis

With strong wind and frost, histamine is released. As a result, blood vessels dilate, the area around the eyes turns red, itching and swelling occur, and tearing increases. To prevent unpleasant symptoms, when leaving the house, antihistamine drops should be instilled into the eyes and nose. An excellent remedy is tea compresses.

Sun allergy

The sun's rays are easily reflected from the white snow, causing pain in the eyes and tearing. People with gray and blue irises are especially affected. Therefore, it is recommended to use sunglasses with light lenses.

Excessive sensitivity of the cornea to weather changes

Such a pathology is most often congenital. To protect the eyes, it is recommended to wear sunglasses, vasoconstrictor nasal drops will help to ease breathing.

Age changes

In old age, the lumen of the nasolacrimal canal narrows and the tone of the eyelids decreases. As a result, the eyelids do not come into contact with the cornea and sag above the eyes, due to which, under the influence of cold air, tears begin to flow. Strengthen the muscles of the eyelids will allow special exercises.

Dry eye syndrome

It most often manifests itself with a deficiency of lacrimal fluid. The situation is aggravated in winter, when the total volume of automobile exhausts increases. The "artificial tear" will have a protective effect.

Weakening of the conductivity of the lacrimal canal

As a result of blockage or spasm of the lacrimal ducts, tears are secreted outward, provoking profuse lacrimation. Most often, the problem occurs with rhinitis, influenza, tonsillitis, acute respiratory infections, SARS.

Only an ophthalmologist can detect violations by performing a diagnostic washing of the lacrimal-nasal tract. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, he will refer you to physiotherapeutic procedures, and in advanced cases, he will recommend surgery.