Sticky Eye
Sticky eyes are common in newborn babies while their tear ducts are developing. You may see a sticky white or yellow discharge in the corner of one or both of your baby’s eyes, which may cause the eyelashes to stick together. This is caused by a narrow or blocked tear ducts, which generally open up and begin draining normally within the first year of life.
Sticky eyes are not the same as conjunctivitis; conjunctivitis affects the outer coating layer of the eye and inner surface of eyelids, which in babies may be caused by bacterial or viral infections that they may have picked up during or after birth. The signs of conjunctivitis include a yellow/green discharge and redness and swelling of the eye(s). If you notice this contact your GP surgery as your baby may need antibiotic eye drops. Infection can be passed on easily, so wash your hands and use a separate towel for your baby.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
When should you worry?
If your baby has any of the following:
- Unable to open eye due to swelling
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up or very sleepy
- Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features
- Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the glass test)
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or call 999 - dial 999.
If your baby has any of the following:
- Yellow/green discharge from one or both eyes
- Redness of the whites of the eyes/around the eyes
- Swelling of the eyes
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- Poor feeding (less than half of their usual amount)
- Irritable (Unable to settle them with cuddles, toys or feeding)
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If your baby has none of the above features:
- It is normal for a baby to have sticky yellow or white discharge in the corner of one or both eyes and can cause the eyelashes to stick together. This can last for several months
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home.
It normally clears up on its own, but you may have to clean your baby’s eyes regularly with damp cotton wool. Use clean, cooled boiled water and wipe each eye from the corner by the nose outwards. Use a clean piece of cotton wool for each wipe.
Remember to wash your hands before and afterwards and avoid sharing towels.
If you are still concerned about your baby, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
Advice and Guidance
Self care and Prevention
A sticky eye is not usually serious and clears up on its own, but you can treat it at home by cleaning your baby’s eyes regularly with damp cotton wool. Use clean, cooled boiled water and wipe each eye from the corner by the nose outwards. Use a clean piece of cotton wool for each wipe. Wash your hands before and afterwards. It may help if you massage the tear duct every few hours with a clean finger using gentle pressure on the outside of the nose, near the corner of the eye. If the tear duct is still blocked and continuing to cause a sticky eye by about 12 months of age contact your GP surgery.
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