Watery and Leaking Eye in 1 Year Old

I just saw this now, so it's probably late - but I assume you've taken him to the pedi because it sounds definitely like conjunctivitis - and it is highly contagious.

A.,

Sounds like he has something in the eye and the eye is doing what it is supposed to do to clear itself out. Best thing is to not irritate the eye. If you son is rubbing the eye that isn't good, try and distract him. You can try and put saline eye drops in to help flush the eye but he might fight you on that one. I would say if he starts to rub it or it get red to call the doctor.

Good luck,
L. M

The same thing was happening with my 16 month old son and my pediatrician said it is sometimes a sign of an ear infection (which it was).

My son had the same problem, basically from birth. His eye constantly leaked yellowish fluid though is eye was not red. The doctor recommended (as one of the other respondents said) massaging the duct and warm compresses but try doing that with a 12 month old! Right. My husband got really good at expressing the tear duct but the problem never went away so at about 18 months, we saw an eye specialist who recommended surgery to unblock the duct. Very common problem. He had the surgery and has been pretty good ever since....unless he's sick, when it clogs again but it clears up when he's well. If it doesn't clear up, see your pediatrician. Good luck!

Hi A.!
Check with your pedi...Could be the tear duct...could be conjuctivitis....My 7 year old son (also named Javier) just had conjuctivitis along w/ a cold....goopy, yucky, booger-like stuff coming out of his eyes, which were also red, kind of almost blood-shot like. His pedi prescibed some drops, which weren't much fun but did the trick.
Good luck
M. M

-prob blocked tear duct
-prob not conjunctivitis bc eyes are not red or itchy
-prob not a bacterial conjunctivitis bc eyes are "clear" watery (not goopy-or opaque discharge that would need antibiotics)
-prob not allergies bc it's only affecting 1 eye

-best guess is blocked tear duct--get it checked out bc sometimes (rarely) needs surgical intervention; in interim use warm washcloths over affected area

Allergies? I'd deffinately make an appt with your pedi

You have some great recommendations so far. I just wanted to add one more that may or may not apply to you. You don't mention if you are still breastfeeding but if you are you can put some fresh breastmilk drops in his eyes. I know it sounds weird but breastmilk has antimicrobial properties that will help to clear up any infection and is soothing. It is remarkable when dealing with clogged eye ducts. Just put some in his eye/ducts a few times a day and you should notice an improvement within a day or so. You can also use breastmilk up the nose for dry sinuses or on scrapes to help with healing.
I hope it is just a clogged duct and not pink eye.

It sounds like a blocked tear duct. All 3 of my kids had it and the drs don't really do anything about it except tell you to massage the area inward towards the nose. The problem usually corrects after some time. You should tell the dr though just so they're aware. It's an irratating thing, but nothing serious

sounds like it could be allergies. Try calling your pediatrician for some recommendations of what you can give him (not sure with a 1 year old, my 2 year was put on Claritin for similar symptoms & it made all the difference). Good Luck, hope he feels better soon.

you've heard it a bunch already, but it definately sounds like a blocked tear duct. hold a warm washcloth on it for a few min, and then massage the area between affected eye and nose. you should be able to see when it "clears" because it will prob be a thick greenish color. continue to massage it the rest of the day so you get it all out.

Hi A.,
Bring your kiddo in to see the MD. Every time my children start with the egg boogies, it always turns out to be an ear infection on the same side. If it's not an ear infection, it still sounds like it might be conjunctivitis. The infection might spread to his other eye (and anyone else's eyes that may come in contact with him). Both problems need abx....asap! Good luck. Sometimes the tear duct can get clogged too, you see it more with newborns. No matter what, bring him in.

Sounds like a plugged tear duct. I'd check in with your pediatrician first but our doctor had us massage the inner corner of the eye to help loosen up the plug. It's very common and usually fixes itself. Wipe it regularly with a clean cloth in the meantime to help avoid infection.

Hi A.

This has happened with both my kids before...it could be a blocked tear duct. If it were conjuctivitis (which both my kids have also had) their eyes would be red, very crusty in the morning and really itchy, and they may possibly even have a fever. Doesn't sound like this is the case b/c you said there is no redness or fever. A block tear duct isn't anything to worry about. I believe someone once told me if you put pressure near that duct (in the corner of the eye) it helps unblock it but I never tried this and I would consult someone before trying this if I were you. Otherwise it clears up on its own.

S.

It sounds like he has conjunctivitis (also known as "pink eye")in his eye and you need to get an antibiotic for him from his doctor. It is very contagious so please keep washing your hands. You can use a warm damp facecloth in the morning to get his eye open if it is crusted shut. Good luck!

my son's eye leaks when he has an ear infection, he doesn't show many other signs. You should have your doctor check it out.

I'm an RN-sounds like conjunctivitis. Probably needs a prescription for erythromycin ointment. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious so bring him in as soon as possible. Good luck

I agree with the plugged duct. The breast milk does help SO much too. Yes it does sound weird. I thought i was very odd when my lactation consultant suggested it, but it cleared my sons duct with a week, rather than months!

Conjunctivitis, kept happening to my daughter at that age. Your pedi will provide a prescription cream.

He probably just has a clogged tear duct. Use a warm compress on his eye and lightly massage his eye duct being careful not to touch his eye. Kind of hard to do, but it should clear up soon. It is more common is babies, but it could be the problem. If it gets worse or doesn't clear up he may need to see his doctor for an eye drop with antibiotic in it.

Could be beginning of many conditions.
One is conjunctivitis.
There is a solution available at health food stores called Eyebright.
Few drops of that can fix nearly anything amiss with the eyes.
Old reliable dependable standby is Eyebright also harmless.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell