Patient's question:
My baby is two and a half days old. His left eye is always closed. It seems like he really wants to open it, but when he strains, it opens only once and then closes again. The right eye hasn't opened fully yet. There's a bit of eye discharge in his eye. When he cries, tears come out, and the eye that can't open produces slightly yellow tears. When will he be able to open his eyes?Doctor's answer:
This occurs in newborns, either opening one eye or both. This can be treated by rinsing the eye with physiological saline and continuously massaging the lacrimal duct with fingers. It usually heals within about a week. However, if there is a lot of purulent discharge, some anti-inflammatory liquid may be needed. If the eyes cannot be opened because of sticky discharge from conjunctivitis, they will open as the conjunctivitis heals. Don't worry.