What to do when the baby's eyes are filled with green discharge?

Newborns and young children have immature immune systems, so they are at risk for bacterial infections, in which the baby's eyes are frequently filled with discharge. When a baby has eye discharge or red, swollen, watery eyes, parents should not be subjective but take the child to see a doctor because this may be a sign of an eye infection.

At birth, babies have healthy eyes and they can perceive light near them. In the following days, your baby's vision gradually increases from the distance of 25cm at birth. Mothers can recognize early signs of abnormalities in their children's eyes such as: continuous, abundant tears, two eyes that do not move at the same time, white pupils, ... Especially, newborn baby's eyes are affected. Green discharge is a common sign. Most parents are confused as to whether a baby's eye discharge is a normal physiological response or an indicator of a dangerous disease. So what is eye discharge?
Eye discharge, also known as eye rust, is a secretion that is formed when a baby sleeps. Eye gels have the following effects: prevent tears, moisten the eyes. Therefore, if for some reason, eye discharge is not formed, it will cause dry eyes. However, the case of the baby's eyes constantly pouring discharge is an unusual problem, indicating an inflammatory condition in the eye.

2.1. Conjunctivitis There are many causes of conjunctivitis in children, the most common of which are bacteria and viruses.
For bacterial conjunctivitis: common agents are gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) and Chlamydia (causing inclusion conjunctivitis). A common manifestation of bacterial conjunctivitis is a green discharge with pus in the baby's eyes, making it difficult for him to open his eyes in the morning. Your baby may have one or both eyes. For viral conjunctivitis: unlike bacteria, when a child has viral conjunctivitis, the child sheds a non-purulent liquid discharge, occurring in both eyes. However, children have a lot of tears, itching, eye pain, red eyes. In addition, the child may have a fever caused by a virus. 2.2. Obstruction of the lacrimal gland Lacrimal gland obstruction is relatively common in neonates with approximately 10%. The cause is due to a foreign object in the tear duct that causes tears to be blocked, unable to flow down. Therefore, children have the phenomenon of continuous tearing when not crying, a lot of discharge, red eyes. When it gets cold or windy or sunny, this phenomenon can increase. This condition in infants may go away on its own after a few months. Mothers can often stroke along the bridge of the baby's nose, starting from the corner of the eye to the nostril to open the baby's tear duct. However, if the baby has eye discharge for a long time, it can cause other problems such as pus, ... In this case, the mother needs to take the baby to the doctor for a diagnosis and treatment method. appropriate treatment.
2.3. Foreign body in the eye This is a dangerous cause for the baby's eyes to be constantly filled with discharge. Children's eyes are a vulnerable part, sensitive to changes in the surrounding environment (too strong light, wind, dust, ...). Therefore, any foreign objects such as cat and dog hair, sand grains, eyelashes, ... accidentally falling into the baby's eyes without being removed in time will be extremely dangerous. You can detect this cause by observing the baby's eyes. Please take your baby to see a doctor for timely treatment, to avoid affecting the baby's eye function.
2.4. Amniotic fluid flows into the baby's eyes at birth When a newborn baby's eyes are filled with green discharge, think about this cause immediately. During childbirth, it is possible that amniotic fluid and mother's blood have gotten into the baby's eyes, causing the baby to shed gel. However, mothers do not need to worry too much because this is a common eye infection in babies.
2.5. Contamination Is a common cause of blue discharge in children's eyes, but little thought by parents. Dirt, bacteria in the hands can be carried into the eyes when children raise their hands to touch them, or because the caregiver does not clean their hands properly.
2.6. Improper hygiene Some mothers are inexperienced in cleaning their children's eyes, or because they are afraid of hurting their children's eyes, they should clean them improperly. This condition can lead to a blue discharge in your baby's eyes, making it difficult for him to open his eyes when he wakes up. If this problem is not corrected, it will increase the risk of conjunctivitis in the long run.

To properly clean baby's eyes, mothers need to seriously follow these steps:
Clean hands with soap or hand sanitizer. Prepare clean gauze, otherwise disposable towels can be used. Cotton balls should not be used because it can leave small fibers on the baby's eyes. Use warm water or physiological saline to wet the gauze. Gently wipe the child's eyes, wipe from the corner of the eye to the corner of the eye in one direction, using a new gauze each time. Wipe the other eye with another gauze pad. During the wiping process, do not wipe the child's eyelids. Every day, the mother can wipe the baby's eyes 2-3 times or when the discharge appears. Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital, converging a team of doctors and professors specializing in intensive examination and treatment of problems that children often suffer from such as: Respiratory, eye inflammation, nutrition, children Therefore, when children have any health problems, parents should take their children to the hospital for timely examination and treatment.