What Makes a Child Have Watery Eyes: Treatment and Home Remedies

 

Watery eyes in a child can be a symptom of different medical conditions, most commonly blocked tear ducts but this often resolve on its own.

Other causes may include infections like conjunctivitis, or even the common cold, or as a result of irritants or hay fever (allergic rhinitis).

Blocked tear duct

This condition, blocked tear duct or also known as congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is very common in babies with one-third of them having the condition.

It occurs when tears find it difficult to move from the corners of the eyelids into the ducts lining the nose. This makes tears to back up in the eye.

This occurs because the end of the tear duct’s membrane does not open, or because the opening is too narrow at birth.

This condition resolves itself in 90% of babies by their first birthday.

Other causes are less common but include;

• Nasal polyps

• Cyst or tumor

• Trauma to the eye

Other symptoms of this condition may include;

• Pus in the eye

• Tear pool at the corner of the eye

• Crusting eyelids and eyelashes

• Redness of the eyes

These symptoms may occur right after birth or within the first few months of the child’s life. It’s very crucial to visit a pediatrician if you suspect this condition in your baby.

Treatment

The treatment of watery eyes varies depending on the cause. 

Often, you may not need to do much to treat it as the condition will clear on its own.

In other cases, you may need a prescription to clear up an infection or do a surgery to resolve a long-lasting blocked tear duct.

Blocked tear ducts can get infected at certain times and may require an antibiotic to treat it. Bacterial conjunctivitis, as a result of this, may also require antibiotics to clear the condition. Your pediatrician may recommend rinsing your child's eye with saline to clear out the buildup in the eye.

If the child’s blocked tear duct does not resolve itself, your doctor may recommend nasolacrimal duct probing which involves inserting a small probe through the child’s tear duct into the nose to widen the passage.

Other procedures maybe recommended if this doesn’t work.

Home remedies

You may want to consider some home remedies if your doctor recommends them or if your child’s watery eyes look white in colour and not irritated.

Blocked tear ducts can resolve on their own but your pediatrician may recommend massaging the tear duct to help it open.

You can massage the outside of your child’s nose (from the eye to the corner of the nose) with your clean index finger. You may try about 5 strokes 3 to 4 times a day for several weeks.

Always apply firm pressure during the massage.

You may also find that gently pressing a warm cloth to the eye also helps clear the eye and provides comfort to the child.

For older children, watery eyes caused by cold or hay fever maybe reduced with over-the-counter cold and allergy medications as prescribed by a doctor.

When do you see a doctor?

See a pediatrician right away if your newborn develops watery eyes, as they maybe a sign of more serious condition like conjunctivitis.

Newborn conjunctivitis caused by a bacterial infection needs to be treated within 24hours of symptoms.

You should see your pediatrician if the following symptoms accompany your child’s watery eyes;

• Inflammation

• Redness

• A yellow or green discharge

• Pain

• Changes in eye or eyelid structures

• Sensitivity to light

• Itching

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any action!

Dr. Favvy

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Disclaimer

The information on the blog is for educational purposes only.

It should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advise of your pediatrician.

Always consult your pharmacist before giving your child any medication.