Question
A five-month-old infant has had excessive discharge from the left eye since birth. Upon waking up from sleep, the left eye is often stuck shut with mucus, requiring cleaning before it can be opened. Although massage along the left nasal bridge has been attempted, the left eye still frequently appears watery. How should it be handled?
Answer
The tear duct in infants connects the inner side of the eye to the nostrils. Some infants may have a blocked tear duct at birth, causing tears to overflow instead of draining into the nasal cavity, resulting in watery eyes. Typically, by the age of seven to eight months, a blocked tear duct will naturally improve. During this period, parents can continue with massage to promote the unobstructed of the tear duct. If by the age of seven to eight months, the tear duct has not cleared, professional assistance from an ophthalmologist should be sought.