Patient's question:
My baby is five months old. At birth, there was a lot of discharge from the left eye. After sleeping, the left eye would stick shut and she couldn't open it. It only opened after being washed. I was told to massage downward from the left eye toward the left nostril. Even now, the left eye still often waters up, and it's driving me crazy. Is there any good method for this?Doctor's answer:
The infant's nasolacrimal duct runs from the inner corner of the eye to the nostril. Some infants are born with a blocked nasolacrimal duct, so tears cannot flow into the nasal passage and instead overflow. This makes it seem as if your eyes are filled with tears. When the infant is 7 or 8 months old, the blockage in the nasolacrimal duct usually improves naturally. Massage can help the duct open within 7 or 8 months. If the blockage persists after 7 or 8 months, you will need to consult an ophthalmologist for assistance.