Guide: When infants appear teary-eyed all day with constant eye discharge, many parents immediately assume it's due to "heatiness." However, attributing all eye discharge to heatiness may delay treatment for serious eye conditions, as heatiness is often not the cause.
Possible Cause 1: Conjunctivitis
After birth, many parents keep homes overly warm to prevent their babies from catching a chill. This creates an environment where bacteria thrive. Combined with newborns' tendency to rub their eyes unconsciously, this can lead to symptoms of conjunctivitis such as increased eye discharge and redness of the eyelid conjunctiva.In cases of severe bacterial infection or when accompanied by a cold or fever, symptoms like increased discharge, excessive tearing, and eye redness become more pronounced and may cause eyelid swelling and redness.
Management: Applying antibiotic eye drops or ointment locally can alleviate symptoms, while conjunctival irrigation helps reduce inflammation. Before administering eye drops, clear any discharge from the affected eye. If the baby also exhibits symptoms like constipation, dark urine, or a thick, greasy tongue coating, complementary treatment with Chinese herbal medicine that clears heat, reduces fire, aids digestion, and relieves stagnation may be beneficial.
Ensure the infant drinks ample water and monitor how formula affects digestive function. For breastfed infants, the mother's diet significantly impacts their health. Lactating mothers should maintain balanced nutrition and avoid overly pungent, drying, or greasy foods.
Cleaning the infant's hands and regularly trimming both adult and infant nails reduces opportunities for bacterial eye infections.
Possible Cause 2: Neonatal Dacryocystitis
Neonatal dacryocystitis occurs when the tear duct (nasolacrimal duct) becomes blocked. This happens because the embryonic membrane at the lower end of the duct fails to degenerate, obstructing the duct's opening. Tears and bacteria then accumulate in the lacrimal sac beneath the skin at the inner corner of the eye, leading to secondary infection.This membrane is present in approximately 2%–4% of full-term newborns, with most cases resolving spontaneously within 4–6 weeks.
Symptoms: The baby experiences increased tearing, a widened tear channel along the lower eyelid margin, and a small, raised lump at the inner corner of the eye. Pressing on this lump may temporarily cause it to disappear after fluid is squeezed out.If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, yellowish-white discharge frequently appears at the inner corner of the eye. Pressing the raised area may cause yellowish-white purulent discharge to ooze out. Management: Massage the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct from the bridge of the nose toward the tip to increase pressure within the duct and promote rupture of the membrane. Administer anti-infective treatment if a bacterial infection is present.
Possible Cause 3: Gonococcal Conjunctivitis
Gonococcal conjunctivitis results from Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, with an incubation period of 2–4 days. It commonly occurs when a mother with gonorrhea infects the newborn during birth through the birth canal, affecting both eyes simultaneously as acute purulent conjunctivitis.Typically, the infant's eyelids become severely swollen and red, making it nearly impossible to open the eyes. A large amount of pus-like discharge continuously forms. If improperly treated, corneal ulcers may develop, potentially leading to corneal perforation and even the risk of blindness.
Prevention: Hospitals typically administer 1% silver nitrate eye drops at birth to reduce infection rates. However, newborns delivered at non-formal hospitals face higher infection risks.