Watery Eyes in Children

Persistent watery eyes (epiphora) in babies and children can be a sign of a blocked tear duct, a common condition in newborns.

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Congenital blocked tear duct is common in babies.

It often clears up in the first few months with massage and monitoring.

If it persists, simple procedures such as tear duct probing are available.

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What are persistent watery eyes in children?

Constant watering of the eyes in babies may be due to a congenital blockage of the nasolacrimal duct, which prevents tears from draining properly into the nose. In most cases, this condition clears up on its own in the first few months of life.

However, in some children the blockage persists, causing watery eyes, discharge and a risk of infection. In these cases, an eye examination is important to determine whether treatment is needed.

Signs that may indicate a blocked tear duct.

✅ Constant watering in one or both eyes.
✅ Build-up of tears for no apparent reason.
✅ Thick or yellowish discharge on the eyelids.
✅ Irritation of the skin around the eye.
✅ Recurrent infections of the tear sac (dacryocystitis).
✅ Swelling or redness around the tear sac area.

If your baby has these symptoms, it is important to see an ophthalmologist to assess whether treatment is needed.

Why does this tear drainage problem occur?

🔹 Congenital blocked tear duct: The most common cause; it occurs when the tear drainage system does not open fully at birth.
🔹 Childhood dacryocystitis: Infection of the tear sac caused by a build-up of tears and bacteria.
🔹 Changes in eyelid shape: Some conditions, such as entropion, can affect tear drainage.
🔹 Inflammation or trauma: Knocks or infections can cause the tear duct to become blocked.

Identifying the cause is key to the right treatment.

An eye examination is essential to detect the problem

At Clínica Ramírez & Gálvez, we carry out a full assessment to determine whether the watering is caused by a blocked tear duct.

🔹 Fluorescein test: Dye drops are placed in the eye to observe how the tears drain.
🔹 Tear sac examination: Gentle pressure is applied to the tear sac area to check for trapped discharge.
🔹 Jones test: Assesses whether the tear duct is blocked.
🔹 Infection assessment: In cases of dacryocystitis, the discharge is analysed to determine the right treatment.

An accurate diagnosis allows us to establish the best treatment for each child.

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Cutting-Edge Technology

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Answers to your questions

We answer the most common questions about watery eyes in children. Find all the information you need here to care for your child's eyesight with confidence.

If the watering is persistent and accompanied by discharge, an eye examination is advisable.

In many cases, yes. A blocked tear duct can clear up on its own in the first few months of life.

If the watering and blockage persist beyond the first year of life, probing may be considered to open the duct.

Yes, it is a quick, minimally invasive procedure with a high success rate in babies and young children.

It can lead to recurrent infections and affect the child’s eye health, so an eye check-up is advisable.