Eye Discharge
Is this eye discharge something to worry about?
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Key takeaways
- Go to the ER if: seek immediate medical care
- Call your doctor if: call your pediatrician today
- Usually safe to monitor at home: likely a blocked tear duct - monitor at home
- When in doubt, call your pediatrician — they would rather hear from you than have you worry alone
How old is your baby?
This is not medical advice. When in doubt, always call your pediatrician.
Quick Reference Guide
Call 911 / Go to ER
Seek immediate medical care
Eye discharge with swelling or thick pus in a newborn under 28 days can be caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia (ophthalmia neonatorum). This is a medical emergency that can cause permanent vision damage if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
- Go to the ER or call your pediatrician immediately
- Do not try to treat at home with breast milk or other home remedies
- Gently clean discharge from the eye with a clean, damp cloth - wipe from inner corner outward
- Do not share washcloths or towels
- Both parents may need STI testing - this is routine and important for the baby's treatment
Go to the ER now
A swollen eyelid with fever can be periorbital or orbital cellulitis - a bacterial infection around the eye that can spread. This needs urgent evaluation and treatment.
- Go to the emergency room now
- Note when the swelling started and whether it is getting worse
- Check if your child can move the eye in all directions - report this to the doctor
- Do not apply warm compresses until evaluated - this needs antibiotics
Seek medical care now
Eye injuries in babies and children need prompt evaluation to protect vision. Even if the injury seems minor, a doctor should examine the eye.
- Call your pediatrician or go to the ER or urgent care
- Do not rub the eye or try to remove anything stuck in it
- If a chemical got in the eye, rinse gently with clean water for 15 minutes before going
- Do not put any drops or ointments in the eye unless directed by a doctor
- Try to prevent your child from rubbing the eye
Call Your Pediatrician
Call your pediatrician today
Thick discharge with eyelid swelling or significant redness likely needs prescription antibiotic drops or ointment. Your pediatrician should evaluate today.
- Call your pediatrician for a same-day appointment
- Gently clean discharge with a warm, damp cloth - wipe from inner corner outward
- Use a fresh cloth or cotton ball for each wipe and each eye
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after cleaning the eye
- Do not use over-the-counter eye drops without your doctor's guidance
Call your pediatrician today
Even mild eye discharge in a newborn should be evaluated, since newborns are more vulnerable to eye infections. It may be a blocked tear duct, but your doctor should confirm.
- Call your pediatrician during office hours for guidance
- Gently clean the eye with a warm, damp cloth
- Watch for worsening - more discharge, swelling, or redness
- If thick pus or swelling develops before the appointment, go to the ER instead
Call during office hours
Persistent or worsening eye discharge should be evaluated by your pediatrician. They can determine if antibiotic drops are needed or if it is a blocked tear duct that needs monitoring.
- Call your pediatrician during their next office hours
- Keep the eye clean with gentle warm compresses
- Wash your hands before and after touching the eye area
- If your child is in daycare, they may need to stay home until evaluated
- Watch for increased swelling, pain, or fever - call sooner if these develop
Monitor at Home
Likely a blocked tear duct - monitor at home
A blocked tear duct (dacryostenosis) is very common in babies - up to 20% are born with one. The eye tears up and gets crusty because tears cannot drain properly through the small duct into the nose. Most resolve on their own by 12 months.
- Gently massage the inner corner of the eye (near the nose) 2-3 times per day - use a clean finger with gentle downward strokes
- Clean crusting with a warm, damp cloth as needed
- Mention it at your next well-baby visit
- Call your pediatrician if the eye becomes very red, swollen, or develops thick green/yellow pus - this could mean the duct is infected
- If not resolved by 12 months, your pediatrician may refer to an ophthalmologist
Monitor at home for now
This may be viral conjunctivitis (pink eye), which typically resolves on its own in 5-7 days. It is very contagious, so good hygiene is important.
- Clean the eye gently with a warm, damp cloth several times a day
- Use a fresh cloth or cotton ball for each eye
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the eye area
- Do not share towels, washcloths, or pillows
- Call your pediatrician if discharge becomes thick and green, the eye becomes very red, or swelling develops
- Most daycares require a doctor's note before returning - call your pediatrician if needed
Monitor at home
Mild crusting in one eye that just started is common and may be from a minor irritation or the beginning of a blocked tear duct. Watch for worsening.
- Clean gently with a warm, damp cloth
- Watch for changes - increased discharge, redness, or swelling
- Call your pediatrician if it does not improve in 2-3 days or worsens
- Wash your hands before and after cleaning the eye
Eye Discharge — When to Seek Care Decision Guide
Urgency: Emergency / ER
Scenario: Seek immediate medical care
What to Do: Eye discharge with swelling or thick pus in a newborn under 28 days can be caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia (ophthalmia neonatorum). This is a medical emergency that can cause permanent vision damage if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
Key Actions: Go to the ER or call your pediatrician immediately; Do not try to treat at home with breast milk or other home remedies; Gently clean discharge from the eye with a clean, damp cloth - wipe from inner corner outward; Do not share washcloths or towels; Both parents may need STI testing - this is routine and important for the baby's treatment
Urgency: Emergency / ER
Scenario: Go to the ER now
What to Do: A swollen eyelid with fever can be periorbital or orbital cellulitis - a bacterial infection around the eye that can spread. This needs urgent evaluation and treatment.
Key Actions: Go to the emergency room now; Note when the swelling started and whether it is getting worse; Check if your child can move the eye in all directions - report this to the doctor; Do not apply warm compresses until evaluated - this needs antibiotics
Urgency: Emergency / ER
Scenario: Seek medical care now
What to Do: Eye injuries in babies and children need prompt evaluation to protect vision. Even if the injury seems minor, a doctor should examine the eye.
Key Actions: Call your pediatrician or go to the ER or urgent care; Do not rub the eye or try to remove anything stuck in it; If a chemical got in the eye, rinse gently with clean water for 15 minutes before going; Do not put any drops or ointments in the eye unless directed by a doctor; Try to prevent your child from rubbing the eye
Urgency: Call Doctor
Scenario: Call your pediatrician today
What to Do: Thick discharge with eyelid swelling or significant redness likely needs prescription antibiotic drops or ointment. Your pediatrician should evaluate today.
Key Actions: Call your pediatrician for a same-day appointment; Gently clean discharge with a warm, damp cloth - wipe from inner corner outward; Use a fresh cloth or cotton ball for each wipe and each eye; Wash your hands thoroughly before and after cleaning the eye; Do not use over-the-counter eye drops without your doctor's guidance
Urgency: Call Doctor
Scenario: Call your pediatrician today
What to Do: Even mild eye discharge in a newborn should be evaluated, since newborns are more vulnerable to eye infections. It may be a blocked tear duct, but your doctor should confirm.
Key Actions: Call your pediatrician during office hours for guidance; Gently clean the eye with a warm, damp cloth; Watch for worsening - more discharge, swelling, or redness; If thick pus or swelling develops before the appointment, go to the ER instead
Urgency: Call Doctor
Scenario: Call during office hours
What to Do: Persistent or worsening eye discharge should be evaluated by your pediatrician. They can determine if antibiotic drops are needed or if it is a blocked tear duct that needs monitoring.
Key Actions: Call your pediatrician during their next office hours; Keep the eye clean with gentle warm compresses; Wash your hands before and after touching the eye area; If your child is in daycare, they may need to stay home until evaluated; Watch for increased swelling, pain, or fever - call sooner if these develop
Urgency: Monitor at Home
Scenario: Likely a blocked tear duct - monitor at home
What to Do: A blocked tear duct (dacryostenosis) is very common in babies - up to 20% are born with one. The eye tears up and gets crusty because tears cannot drain properly through the small duct into the nose. Most resolve on their own by 12 months.
Key Actions: Gently massage the inner corner of the eye (near the nose) 2-3 times per day - use a clean finger with gentle downward strokes; Clean crusting with a warm, damp cloth as needed; Mention it at your next well-baby visit; Call your pediatrician if the eye becomes very red, swollen, or develops thick green/yellow pus - this could mean the duct is infected; If not resolved by 12 months, your pediatrician may refer to an ophthalmologist
Urgency: Monitor at Home
Scenario: Monitor at home for now
What to Do: This may be viral conjunctivitis (pink eye), which typically resolves on its own in 5-7 days. It is very contagious, so good hygiene is important.
Key Actions: Clean the eye gently with a warm, damp cloth several times a day; Use a fresh cloth or cotton ball for each eye; Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the eye area; Do not share towels, washcloths, or pillows; Call your pediatrician if discharge becomes thick and green, the eye becomes very red, or swelling develops; Most daycares require a doctor's note before returning - call your pediatrician if needed
Urgency: Monitor at Home
Scenario: Monitor at home
What to Do: Mild crusting in one eye that just started is common and may be from a minor irritation or the beginning of a blocked tear duct. Watch for worsening.
Key Actions: Clean gently with a warm, damp cloth; Watch for changes - increased discharge, redness, or swelling; Call your pediatrician if it does not improve in 2-3 days or worsens; Wash your hands before and after cleaning the eye
| Urgency | Scenario | What to Do | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency / ER | Seek immediate medical care | Eye discharge with swelling or thick pus in a newborn under 28 days can be caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia (ophthalmia neonatorum). This is a medical emergency that can cause permanent vision damage if not treated promptly with antibiotics. | Go to the ER or call your pediatrician immediately; Do not try to treat at home with breast milk or other home remedies; Gently clean discharge from the eye with a clean, damp cloth - wipe from inner corner outward; Do not share washcloths or towels; Both parents may need STI testing - this is routine and important for the baby's treatment |
| Emergency / ER | Go to the ER now | A swollen eyelid with fever can be periorbital or orbital cellulitis - a bacterial infection around the eye that can spread. This needs urgent evaluation and treatment. | Go to the emergency room now; Note when the swelling started and whether it is getting worse; Check if your child can move the eye in all directions - report this to the doctor; Do not apply warm compresses until evaluated - this needs antibiotics |
| Emergency / ER | Seek medical care now | Eye injuries in babies and children need prompt evaluation to protect vision. Even if the injury seems minor, a doctor should examine the eye. | Call your pediatrician or go to the ER or urgent care; Do not rub the eye or try to remove anything stuck in it; If a chemical got in the eye, rinse gently with clean water for 15 minutes before going; Do not put any drops or ointments in the eye unless directed by a doctor; Try to prevent your child from rubbing the eye |
| Call Doctor | Call your pediatrician today | Thick discharge with eyelid swelling or significant redness likely needs prescription antibiotic drops or ointment. Your pediatrician should evaluate today. | Call your pediatrician for a same-day appointment; Gently clean discharge with a warm, damp cloth - wipe from inner corner outward; Use a fresh cloth or cotton ball for each wipe and each eye; Wash your hands thoroughly before and after cleaning the eye; Do not use over-the-counter eye drops without your doctor's guidance |
| Call Doctor | Call your pediatrician today | Even mild eye discharge in a newborn should be evaluated, since newborns are more vulnerable to eye infections. It may be a blocked tear duct, but your doctor should confirm. | Call your pediatrician during office hours for guidance; Gently clean the eye with a warm, damp cloth; Watch for worsening - more discharge, swelling, or redness; If thick pus or swelling develops before the appointment, go to the ER instead |
| Call Doctor | Call during office hours | Persistent or worsening eye discharge should be evaluated by your pediatrician. They can determine if antibiotic drops are needed or if it is a blocked tear duct that needs monitoring. | Call your pediatrician during their next office hours; Keep the eye clean with gentle warm compresses; Wash your hands before and after touching the eye area; If your child is in daycare, they may need to stay home until evaluated; Watch for increased swelling, pain, or fever - call sooner if these develop |
| Monitor at Home | Likely a blocked tear duct - monitor at home | A blocked tear duct (dacryostenosis) is very common in babies - up to 20% are born with one. The eye tears up and gets crusty because tears cannot drain properly through the small duct into the nose. Most resolve on their own by 12 months. | Gently massage the inner corner of the eye (near the nose) 2-3 times per day - use a clean finger with gentle downward strokes; Clean crusting with a warm, damp cloth as needed; Mention it at your next well-baby visit; Call your pediatrician if the eye becomes very red, swollen, or develops thick green/yellow pus - this could mean the duct is infected; If not resolved by 12 months, your pediatrician may refer to an ophthalmologist |
| Monitor at Home | Monitor at home for now | This may be viral conjunctivitis (pink eye), which typically resolves on its own in 5-7 days. It is very contagious, so good hygiene is important. | Clean the eye gently with a warm, damp cloth several times a day; Use a fresh cloth or cotton ball for each eye; Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the eye area; Do not share towels, washcloths, or pillows; Call your pediatrician if discharge becomes thick and green, the eye becomes very red, or swelling develops; Most daycares require a doctor's note before returning - call your pediatrician if needed |
| Monitor at Home | Monitor at home | Mild crusting in one eye that just started is common and may be from a minor irritation or the beginning of a blocked tear duct. Watch for worsening. | Clean gently with a warm, damp cloth; Watch for changes - increased discharge, redness, or swelling; Call your pediatrician if it does not improve in 2-3 days or worsens; Wash your hands before and after cleaning the eye |
Based on AAP and CDC symptom management guidelines. Always call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
Frequently asked questions
When should I take my baby to the ER for eye discharge?
When should I call the doctor about baby eye discharge?
When can I monitor eye discharge at home?
Bottom line
Most cases of eye discharge in babies can be managed at home with monitoring. Seek emergency care if you notice seek immediate medical care. When in doubt, call your pediatrician.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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