Question
A 2-month-old baby often has eye discharge and tears. What kind of assistance is needed? Is this a normal phenomenon? How should it be addressed? Can eye drops be used?
Answer
There is a tiny tube between the eye and nose that can drain tears produced by the eyes. Since the baby’s tear ducts are not yet fully unobstructed, it is common for one side to be blocked, causing tears to accumulate on one side and not flow properly. After the water in the tears evaporates, a yellow, very sticky secretion forms. This is not caused by infection. You do not need to put eye drops in the baby’s eyes; simply clean the baby’s eyes with warm water on a regular basis. If you want to prevent secondary infection, you can clean the baby’s eyes with warm, diluted saltwater.