Infant green eye discharge: what parents should know

Discharge that collects at the lashes may be linked to conjunctivitis, especially when the white of the eye looks pink or red. A blocked tear duct can cause watering and sticky material, often without marked redness. Allergies more often cause itching and watery discharge, and are less typical in a very young infant. One eye or both eyes may be involved. The appearance alone cannot identify the cause, and an infant's age matters when deciding how quickly to arrange an examination.

Wash your hands before and after touching the eye. Wipe from the inner corner outward with clean cotton or gauze moistened with cooled boiled water, using a fresh piece for each wipe and each eye. Do not share towels, and avoid leftover drops, homemade remedies, or medicine prescribed for someone else. Keep the infant away from smoke and other irritants. Contact a clinician for advice about green discharge, particularly if it keeps returning or feeding is affected.

Arrange urgent medical assessment if the eyelids become very swollen, the eye appears painful, the infant is unusually sleepy, light seems distressing, or the eye looks cloudy. Seek prompt advice for a newborn with discharge, fever, poor feeding, or worsening redness. Do not wait for home cleaning to improve symptoms when the infant seems unwell. A clinician may examine the eye and decide whether treatment or a tear-duct plan is appropriate.

Could this be conjunctivitis or a blocked tear duct? Which cleaning method and drops are suitable for this infant? What changes should prompt same-day assessment?