Infants may have watery eyes that don't stem from crying. Tearing may occur constantly or occasionally, and your child may have other symptoms that include redness and inflammation of the eyelids. A pediatrician should examine your child's eyes to determine the cause, and she will recommend treatment, if necessary. Knowing some of the causes for tearing in infants may help you discuss the condition with the doctor.
EYE INFECTION
An eye infection like conjunctivitis causes tearing. Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, occurs from a virus, bacteria or fungi. Your infant may have additional symptoms that include itchy eyes and discomfort, which you may detect from eye rubbing or fussiness. She may also have a thick discharge along with the tearing. Once your infant's pediatrician determines the infection type, she will recommend a medication to help resolve the infection or ease symptoms. In mild infections, the doctor may not recommend medication and could suggest letting the infection clear on its own.
ALLERGIES
If your child reacts to allergens like pet dander or pollen, this may cause teary eyes along with redness and eyelid inflammation. An allergic reaction may arise shortly after birth when a nurse places eye drops in your newborn's eyes to help reduce the risk of infection from the birth canal's bacteria. This reaction may cause tearing and other symptoms. Your child's doctor will help you determine the reaction's source so you can ensure your child avoids further contact with the allergen. She may recommend eye drops to help reduce or prevent the symptoms.
BLOCKED TEAR DUCT
A blocked tear duct causes teary eyes. The tear duct sits in the eye's nasal corner, and tears drain through the punctum at the lower eyelid's nasal edge. Blockage -- which prevents tears from draining, resulting in tears spilling down your child's cheeks -- may result from malformations or cysts. A pediatrician will typically recommend a tear-duct massage called "milking" that helps break up the blockage. If the blockage does not clear, the doctor may need to perform a surgical procedure to clear the duct.
CONSIDERATIONS
If your child's tearing -- or other symptoms -- do not cease, talk to a pediatrician immediately. Left untreated, an eye infection or other conditions could damage your child's eye. Seeking treatment at the first sign of a teary eye condition may help prevent additional symptoms.