Any kind of vision problem in a child can seem a bit scary. But when it comes to gunk in your baby's eye, yellow discharge or toddler eye boogers, know that these issues are pretty common at this age. And for the most part, toddler eye infections and injuries get resolved easily.
While you can't always prevent one of these eye issues from cropping up, you can learn about them so you're able to spot the symptoms. To help with all things eye-related, here's a look at the common infections and injuries your toddler may develop as well as how each is treated.
Yellow or green eye discharge
Icky sticky yellow or green eye discharge is usually the result of pink eye, which is a condition that's officially called conjunctivitis.[1] This very contagious infection turns the whites of the eyes pink and often produces some yellowish discharge and eye boogers. Bacteria, a virus, certain allergies or a reaction to a chemical can all cause pink eye.
If you suspect a case of this common toddler eye infection, get him to the pediatrician for a diagnosis or try making a telehealth appointment. If the cause is bacterial, your doc will prescribe drops or ointment that'll cure it quickly. The viral version of pink eye will go away on its own, but only your doctor can tell the difference.
A blocked tear duct can also cause discharge from a child's eyes. The obstruction can cause his peepers to produce extra tears and mucus. Check in with the pediatrician for help. The doctor may advise carefully massaging the duct to smooth the blockage. If that doesn't work, the potential next step is a duct-probing procedure.
Styes
If you notice a tiny red, pimple-like bump on your toddler's eyelid, he's likely got a sty in the eye. These little pustules are clogged oil glands.[2]
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Styes can feel painful, but they're otherwise harmless and will resolve on their own. Until then, soothe your sweetie by holding a warm washcloth to his closed eye for a few minutes several times a day. (Don't try to pop the bump.)
If he's really suffering, ask your pediatrician about giving him some acetaminophen to ease the pain. And definitely keep your doc in the loop if that toddler eye is still sporting a sty in a week, or if the redness and swelling has spread to your child's cheek. Your little one may need antibiotic drops or ointment.
Foreign objects in the eye
Sand from the beach, a mosquito at the park — or maybe your toddler rubbed dirt into his eye? These tiny bits can lead to irritation, excess blinking, redness and tearing.[3] If your kid says his eye hurts, sit him under a bright light (or in the sun) and have him open his eyes wide and look from side to side.
If you spot something, try to flush the foreign object out with clean, tepid water. If that doesn't work, try gently pulling the upper lid out and down over the lower lid for a few seconds to encourage the eye to expel the item with tears.
No dice? You might be in for a visit to the pediatrician or urgent care, where a doctor may use saline to wash away the speck or a small cotton swab to whisk it out of the eye.
Eye bruises and black eyes
Toddlers are busy jumping and running into things (and one another), and their gusto can sometimes result in a minor bruise around the eye, which may look black, purple or dark blue.[4] Ease the pain and minimize the swelling by applying a cool, damp washcloth or a cold pack wrapped in a towel to the area for five to 10 minutes. Repeat as needed after 15-minute breaks.
A day or so later, apply a warm, wet cloth for five to 10 minutes, and again repeat as needed. But don't apply too much pressure on the eyeball.
You may give your little one acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) for any pain after asking the doctor first. And know that you may need to head to the office to learn if there's any damage to the eye itself.
If you spot blood in the white or pupil of your toddler's eye, or if he has a headache, bloody nose or vision changes, an immediate visit to the doctor is in order.
Corneal abrasion
Ouch! A scratch on the outer layer of the eye (the cornea), might come from a low-hanging branch or a sibling's errant fingernail.[5] Your tot may have a swollen eyelid, watery eyes and a sensitivity to light.
Have the doctor check out your child's eye and ask about pain relief, such as acetaminophen, as this injury can hurt quite a bit. An infection-preventing antibiotic — either drops or an ointment — may help too. But the good news is that these scratches usually heal on their own in a day or two.
Contact with a chemical
Contact with chemical irritants — like vinegar, bleach or fertilizer — can also cause a corneal abrasion. If your toddler gets any sort of chemical in his eye, flush the eye with lukewarm water for 15 to 20 minutes, making sure that what's rinsed out doesn't touch the unaffected eye. Then call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 for more specific suggestions and follow-up advice.
Your child's eyes are delicate to be sure, but know that small bumps and infections can usually be treated quickly and effectively. After icing the boo-boo or flushing away the irritant, your tot's vision should clear right up and return to normal.
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