Watery Eyes in Children

Overview

In infants, the usual cause is a nasolacrimal duct that has not fully opened — tears cannot drain into the nose, so they well up and the eye becomes sticky. Many cases open on their own in the first year of life.

Care typically begins with gentle sac massage and hygiene, with a simple probing procedure considered if the blockage persists beyond a certain age. Other causes of watering — allergy, irritation, or rarely raised eye pressure — are looked for during examination.

Educational image only. It is not a photograph of a patient, procedure, or hospital facility.

Common Symptoms

• Constant or frequent tearing, often one-sided
• Sticky yellowish discharge, worse on waking
• Wet cheek or tears overflowing
• Crusting of lashes

Possible Causes

• Blocked tear drainage duct (most common in infants)
• Eye allergy
• Irritation or in-turned lashes
• Rarely, congenital glaucoma — which is why examination matters

Risk Factors

• Infancy (ducts often mature with age)

When to Consult

If watering persists beyond the first months, keeps recurring with infection, or is accompanied by light sensitivity, cloudy-looking cornea or a large-appearing eye — seek examination promptly.

Evaluation Process

• Front-of-eye examination
• Tear-drainage assessment
• Checking for allergy, lashes and eye pressure signs

Available Management Options

• Lacrimal sac massage technique taught to parents
• Lid hygiene and drops when infected
• Probing of the tear duct when persistent
• Treatment of allergy or other causes when found

The right option for you depends on examination findings and will be discussed before any treatment.

Follow-Up Information

Review timing depends on age and response to massage; persistent cases are planned for further care.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Discuss This with Dr. Khushbu Partani

Consultations at Shree Retina Eye Hospital, Raipur. Your requested date and time are subject to confirmation by the appointment team.