What causes excessive eye discharge in children?
Sep 07, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
In general, excessive eye discharge in children may be caused by incomplete patency of the nasolacrimal duct in newborns, poor environmental conditions, eye fatigue with increased secretions, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and other factors. Parents are advised to take their child to see a doctor promptly and follow medical guidance for appropriate treatment. In daily life, parents should monitor their child's screen time, avoid prolonged staring at electronic screens, and encourage more outdoor activities.
In general, excessive eye discharge in children may be caused by incomplete patency of the nasolacrimal duct in newborns, poor environmental conditions, eye fatigue with increased secretions, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and other factors. Parents are advised to take their child to see a doctor promptly and receive symptomatic treatment under medical guidance. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Incomplete patency of the nasolacrimal duct in newborns
After birth, a newborn's tear ducts may not yet be fully developed, leading to impaired drainage of tears. This can cause tears to accumulate at the corner of the eye, resulting in increased eye discharge. Parents can gently clean the area around the baby’s eyes daily using a cotton swab moistened with warm water or normal saline.
2. Poor environmental conditions
Irritants in the environment such as dust, pollen, and smoke can enter the eyes and stimulate the lacrimal glands to produce more tears in an effort to cleanse and protect the eyes. Excess tears mixing with these irritants can form eye discharge. Minimize exposure to irritants, maintain indoor cleanliness, and consider using an air purifier.
3. Eye fatigue and increased secretions
If children spend prolonged periods watching electronic devices or engaging in close-up visual tasks, they may experience eye strain. This can accelerate fluid secretion in the eyes, leading to increased discharge. It is important to manage children's screen time appropriately and avoid extended periods of near-work or continuous use of electronic devices.
4. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is usually caused by bacterial, viral, or allergic triggers, leading to ocular blood vessel congestion and increased tear production from the lacrimal gland. The mixture of tears and inflammatory secretions forms eye discharge, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain. Under medical supervision, medications such as tobramycin eye drops or epinastine fumarate eye drops may be recommended for treatment.
5. Keratitis
Keratitis is typically caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, or fungi, which damage the normal structure of the cornea and stimulate the lacrimal glands to produce excess fluid. This fluid mixes with inflammatory substances to form eye discharge. Additional symptoms may include eye pain and photophobia. Patients should follow medical advice and use prescribed medications such as natamycin eye drops or chlortetracycline hydrochloride eye ointment to relieve symptoms.
Parents should monitor their child's eye usage habits, avoid prolonged screen exposure, encourage outdoor activities, maintain good eye hygiene, and thereby reduce the occurrence of eye discharge.
