Excessive eye-watering in babies may occur due to various medical conditions, including allergies, infections, the common cold, and a blocked tear duct. However this could be the sign of a serious eye condition called congenital glaucoma. This symptom is also known as epiphora, which means that the eyes are producing excess tears.

Watery Eyes in Babies

Allergy

Red, watery eyes may indicate that your child has allergic conjunctivitis. The irritants that can cause an allergic reaction in the eye include dust, smoke, and pollen. Apart from red, watery eyes, your baby may also experience an itching or burning sensation and puffy or swollen eyelids.
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Allergy
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Infection

Infections such as conjunctivitis may also cause your baby’s watery eyes. The cause of conjunctivitis (also called pink eye) is usually a virus or, less commonly, bacteria. Some of the other symptoms of conjunctivitis include:
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Infection
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Red, watery eyes
Pus-like discharge from the eyes (in the case of bacterial conjunctivitis)
Swelling of the eyes

Blocked tear duct

The blockage of a tear duct is a common cause of watery eyes in infants. A tear duct drains the tears from the eyes into the nose by way of tiny openings present inside the eyelids. Your baby may have a blocked tear duct at birth, as it isn’t fully open or the opening is very narrow. The condition gets better on its own in about 90 percent of babies by the time they reach one year old.

Apart from constantly watery eyes, other symptoms of this condition include crusting in the eyelashes and eyelids and a pus-like discharge from the eyes.
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Blocked tear duct
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Risks of teary eyes
You should also visit a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms accompanying watery eyes in your baby:
1. Eyeball appear larger ( bupthalmos)
2. Child dislike looking at bright light ( photophobia)

This is the symptom of congenital glaucoma- a potentially blinding eye condition your baby might be born with.

Treating watery eyes in babies

Medical treatment to manage the watery eyes of your baby may be necessary if they have an infection or if the watering is persistent. In some cases, a blocked tear duct can get infected and require treatment with an antibiotic. Bacterial conjunctivitis also needs antibiotics. The doctor may advise rinsing your baby's eyes with an isotonic solution to clear any buildup and to perform the criggler’s massage.

If the blocked tear duct doesn’t get better by itself, the doctor may advise treatment by surgical probing. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a small metal wire or probe through the tear duct of your baby into their nose to open the obstruction.

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Watery Eyes in Babies

Dr Norazah Abdul Rahman

Designation

Consultant Ophthalmologist, Paediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon

Specialty

Ophthalmology, Paediatrics Ophthalmology & Strabismus Surgery

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