• Knowledgebase: Newborn Questions: General

    Questions about the care of newborns, rashes, stooling.

    23. My baby's eye is draining. What do I do? - Top

    Many infants have tear duct obstruction which can cause either tearing or colored discharge from one or both eyes from time to time.

    This can be distinquished from "pink eye" (conjunctivitis) in that the eye should not be red or bloodshot.

    The treatment for tear duct obstruction is to massage the tear duct several times, and to do so several times a day- perhaps when changing the diaper. This is done by pressing on the side of the nose near the corner of the eye with a rolling motion towards the corner of the eye. You may see some clear tears or even a dab of colored discharge appear in the corner of the eye when doing this.

    If this problem persists, call the office. If there is any redness of the eye or it is bloodshot, call- treatment may be needed. - Updated: March 5, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP