The first days and weeks with a new family member are a time of joy, but also anxiety about the baby's health. One of the common worries of new parents is problems with the baby's eyes - redness, excessive tearing or the appearance of purulent discharge. Is it always a dangerous infection? What is the most common cause and when should you seek help? These questions are answered by prof. Agnieszka Kamińska, an experienced ophthalmologist, a guest of the Healthy Kids CLUUb.

Why do newborns' eyes water and fester? Is it always an infection?

The main cause of eye problems in the youngest infants, as explained by Prof. Kamińska, is often not a primary infection, but a blockage of the tear ducts.

"The most common problem associated with conjunctivitis in children is a disorder of tear flow associated with an underdeveloped Hasner's valve," explains prof. Agnieszka Kamińska.

What exactly is it about? Our eyes constantly produce tears that moisten the eyeball. Then, through small holes in the inner corners (lacrimal puncta), they flow down the ducts to the lacrimal sac, and from there through the nasolacrimal duct (ending with the Hasner valve) to the nasal cavity. In many newborns, this valve is still immature and not fully permeable.

As a result, tears, instead of flowing freely, accumulate in the eye and lacrimal sac. "As with any body of water that, when standing, accumulates (...) it simply becomes superinfected," says prof. Kamińska. Stagnant tears become an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria (which are everywhere, e.g. on a child's skin), which leads to secondary, bacterial conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of neonatal conjunctivitis that should catch your attention

Parents should observe their baby's eyes and pay attention to the following signals:

• Excessive tearing: The eye looks constantly "wet", tears collect in the corner, even when the baby is not crying.
• Redness: The conjunctiva (the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid) becomes pink or clearly red.
• Purulent discharge: Yellowish, greenish or whitish, thick discharge that appears in the corners of the eyes, sticking the eyelashes together (especially after night). This is a clear sign of bacterial superinfection.
• Child restlessness: The baby may be more tearful, grumpy, rub his eyes with his fists, which indicates discomfort.

First aid at home and when a visit to the doctor is necessary

What can you do before you go to a specialist?

• Hygiene is essential: Gently clean your baby's eyes with a sterile gauze soaked in saline. Remember to always do this from the outer to the inner corner of the eye and use a separate gauze for each eye.
• Duct Massage (ONLY after instruction!): Sometimes a doctor or midwife may recommend and show you how to perform a special massage of the lacrimal sac area to mechanically unblock the valve. Never do this on your own, so as not to harm your baby.

When should you absolutely consult a doctor (pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist)?

• When purulent discharge appears.
• When the eye is very red and irritated.
• When the symptoms (even tearing) do not subside for several days despite maintaining hygiene.
• When the child is clearly restless and can be seen to be experiencing pain or discomfort.

"Any redness of the eye can already be a cause for concern in a child," reminds Prof. Kamińska. The doctor will assess the situation and decide on further treatment. If he confirms bacterial superinfection, he will probably recommend antibiotic drops.

Or maybe it's an allergy? Prof. Agnieszka Kamińska explains

Although eye allergies are common in older children and adults, they are very rare in newborns and the youngest infants. "A newborn child (...) does not yet develop allergies, because, especially when breastfed (...) is protected by its mother," reassures Prof. Kamińska. The causes of eye problems at this age should be sought primarily in the obstruction of the tear ducts and possible superinfection.

Parental peace and trust in a specialist

The sight of red or festering eyes in a defenseless baby is stressful. However, it is important not to panic and not to diagnose the child on your own based on information from the Internet. "You have to have a healthy distance in all this and not make diagnoses right away, but go to the doctor in a factual, substantive way," appeals prof. Kamińska.

Modern pediatric ophthalmology has delicate and painless methods for examining the youngest patients. Early consultation allows for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to be implemented, which will bring relief to both the child and the concerned parents.

An appeal to parents: trust the specialists and act wisely

To sum up, eye problems in newborns are common and usually result from the immaturity of the tear ducts. The most important thing is to stay calm, take care of hygiene and carefully observe the baby. In the event of the appearance of pus, severe redness or prolonged symptoms, a medical consultation is necessary. Remember, Dear Parents - your calmness and wise action combined with professional help are the best support for your child's health.

The article was based on a conversation with prof. hab. n. med. Agnieszka Kamińska, a specialist in eye diseases, conducted as part of the Healthy Kids CLUUb.