If you discover that your child has watery eyes, let us tell you there can be several reasons for this. This is one of the medical symptoms called epiphora, which can cause blocked tear ducts. Despite this, it is also responsible for infections and allergies. There can be different causes of watery eyes in children. For such different causes, there are different treatments. Some children require minimal medical interference while others require a course of treatment. You can note down your child’s reaction to certain behavioral actions. This may help you and your pediatrician to have proper treatments for your child. Also, if you or anyone of your family’s child is going through watery eyes, you can consult the experts of Fortis Medical Center.
Watery eyes causes
In general, watery eyes can be a symptom of various medical conditions. A possible cause of watery eyes in infants has blocked tear ducts. This can be resolved on its own. Other causes of watery eyes in children, infants, and toddlers include conjunctivitis (pink eye) or allergies due to the common cold. Children may also develop watery eyes because of irritants or hay fever.
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Blocked tear duct
Blocked tear ducts in children are the major cause of watery eyes. This is, however, quite common in infants, affecting at least one-third of children and their population. Blocked tear ducts occur when tears cannot move from the corner of eyelids. This makes the tears go back in the eyes. This is one of the common medical conditions in infants. This happens because the opening of the tear duct membrane is too narrow at the time of birth and doesn’t open at all. However, the condition resolves itself when the child becomes one year old. Other causes of blocked tear ducts are less common but are listed below:
- nasal polyps
- cyst or tumor
- trauma to the eye
You may start noticing the symptoms of blocked tear ducts right after the birth of your child. This may also happen within a few months after the birth of the child.
Other symptoms of a blocked tear duct include:
- pus in the eye
- crusting eyelids and eyelashes
There can also be chances that your child may be suffering from an infection affecting a blocked tear duct. This infection is called dacryocystitis. Symptoms of such infection, include:
- redness in the inner corner of the eye
- bump at the side of the nose
If you notice any of these symptoms, you can consult the doctor. The doctor may help you regarding the possible causes of watery eyes in your infant.
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Common cold
The common cold is also one of the common symptoms of watery eyes in children. Infants and young children are susceptible to the common cold. This may happen highly during the growing period because the immunity system of young children is still in the developing stage. They often touch their eyes, nose, and mouth. This causes the spread of germs and development of the symptoms like watery eyes, stuffy nose, and sneezing.
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Infections
Infection can also be the reason behind the causes of watery eyes in children. Conjunctivitis, which can affect the growing period of infants, happens because of the virus and is less common because of bacteria. The bacteria gets into the eyes of the infants and causes irritation. The symptoms of pink eyes or conjunctivitis include:
- red eyes
- swollen eyes
- discharge of pus from the eye
Newborns remain at great risk of developing pink eyes and it often goes untreated for a long time. There can also be chances that the newborn may develop pink eyes because of the mother. This can happen even if the mother does not possess any look-alike symptoms. If your newborn shows the symptoms of pink eyes, talk to your doctor immediately. The doctor will have a complete physical exam of the child and will tell you the immediate solutions.
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Allergies
Among the causes of watery eyes in children, there can be chances of the development of allergic conjunctivitis. The irritants like pollen, dust, and smoke may cause allergic reactions in the eyes of infants. Another cause of watery eyes is hay fever, which is also known as allergic rhinitis. Other symptoms of the allergic reactions and the subsequent cause of watery eyes include:
- runny and/or itchy nose
- sneezing
- nasal congestion
- postnasal drip
- congestion
- ear canal pressure
- ear pain
What can develop watery eyes in toddlers?
The results seem to be mixed in the case of toddlers and infants. Toddlers may also develop the symptoms of watery eyes similar to those of infants. The major reason behind the condition is the unresolved blocked tear duct, which can further lead to allergic infections, etc. The development of any kind of medical condition in toddlers happens largely because of touching and kissing. They may develop the chances of frequent colds and watery eyes. Many experienced parents may talk to you. They may say that the causes of watery eyes may go by themselves within a few days, but you should be extra careful. If you think that your child is persisting with watery eyes for more than three days, you should consult the doctor.
What medical treatments can you provide to your child?
Blockage or infections in the tear ducts can also be the cause of watery eyes. This may require your child to go through a course of antibiotics. The doctors may help you with the treatment by suggesting you the use of ointments, and eye drops. You may also require a hospital stay in some rare cases. If the child’s blocked tear duct doesn’t resolve itself, you must look for a pediatrician to get your child’s eyes cleared and free from infection. Also, you may require to consult the doctor if the cause behind watery eyes is conjunctivitis. This may require the interference of a doctor to have a full body checkup of your child. However, many times there are fewer chances that children require the doctor’s help. Most of the time children get perfectly fine within a few days and do not require overnight hospitalization.
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