Newborn Puffy Eye
Newborn Eye Swelling Your neonate may develop swelling near the medial canthus or on the lateral side of the nose. The Baby Eyes Swollen may be associated with watery to purulent discharge from the eye or sticking of the eyelashes.
The condition arises due to congenital blockage of the tear duct system. This condition is benign in nature and subsides in 90-95% of the cases.
The end part of the nasolacrimal duct system is blocked and drainage into the inferior meatus of the nose is impaired.
Newborn Eye Swelling Treatment:
Below the age of 18-24 months of age, the health care provider will advise massage of the ductul system of tears. There is a misconception about the rotatory motion of the finger during the massage.
How to do effective massage for Newborn Eye Swelling:
a) Put some ointment or petroleum jelly on the surface of your index finger.
b) Put your finger near the medial canthus and apply pressure.
c) While holding the pressure move finger down towards the nostril (with sustained pressure). The hydrostatic pressure developed during the massage will open the tear system.
How many times to do massage:
It is recommended to perform the massage ten times in the morning, ten times in the evening, and ten times at night.
For how long to continue massage for swollen eye:
The massage process should be continued until the swelling along with watering subside.
For how long the massage will work?
Massage can be continued up to 18 to 24 months of age.
What if the condition does not subside after 24months?
After 24 months of age, the health care provider will perform a minor procedure, probing and syringing, to open the duct with the instrument.
The procedure needs repetition or not?
Yes, the procedure can be performed several times until the condition subsides.
Red flag signs:
1) When the swelling becomes very painful for the child.
2) When there is the involvement of the eyelids, redness, and swelling of the eyelids.
3) When there is a high-grade fever.
4) Loss of transparency of the outer surface of the eye, cornea.
