My DS is 21 months. Since he was born his right eye constantly weeps like there are always tears coming from it. I have never taken him to the GP about it but have taken him to the HV several times and she keeps saying she is requesting a referral for him to see an eye doctor but to this day (since he was about 3 months old) I havent heard anything. I am going to continue to chase her up for it and also make an appointment with the GP I just havent done it yet as it always seems to slip down the list of priorities as it doesnt seem to bother him. But its starting to bother me. Is this normal? Do you have any ideas what it could be?

My nephew has this it sounds like a blocked tear duct .

Sounds like blocked tear duct.

Just go and see the GP who can refer him to ophthamology.

It does sound like a blocked duct but it generally isn't regarded as a priority as most clear up by themselves without intervention within the first year

Sorry, re-read your post and noticed your ds is 21 months! I would see GP and push for a referral.

I thought if it went past one year, then it needed specialist treatment. Take him to GP, I'm sure they will refer him on.

Dd had this until she was about 1 year old, it is such a pain.She as always worse affected after a big crying jag

hmm i will sort this out on monday. I wonder if its actually harmful past a year?

eeny, it's not actually harmful, just increases the risk of cojunctivitis ( no biggy! and of course is annoying for your LO and for you to look at!

conjunctivitis sorry typing one-handed while bfing!

well done for doing that chipmonkey! I mean typing with one hand.

well my DD is just coming through conjunctivitis and I wouldn't wish it on you!
Get a referral!

my ds has this sometimes - a warm flannel on the eye seems to clear it up.

definitely speak to your gp though - your hv sounds rubbish!

spoke to HV today and she is getting GP to do a referral - but she warned me DS may need an operation on his eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Am very freaked out by that! I desperately hope not!

Eeny, it won't be an eye operation if he needs one! It would be a very minor operation on the lower eyeLID just below the corner of the eye itself.

oh thanks chippy. I was (am) really upset about an operation. Am feeling very vulnerable about my DS right now. My nephew died of cancer 5 years ago and every night lately I am dreaming of him and my DS changing places and in my extreme paranoia I am now worried DS will get cancer. Just not happy about him being poked and prodded.

Just a thought,have you tried "milking" the Tear Duct,sounds awful,but is easy.Use your little finger and press fairly firmly from the inside of the eye down the side of the nose,this pressure should move any backed up "gunk".Childrens tear ducts are obviously "immature" and they arent able to "move" any backed up stuff themselves.I was advised to do this when my son was 2 weeks old,several times a day(I used to do it when I fed him so I remembered)I was able to avoid the use of drops for Conjuntivitis from then on.Its worth a try.....? HTH

Ooh didnt realise it was you Eenybeeny,not that you know me yet,if my DD1 hadnt had CP I would have met you the other week in Coggeshall,ended up seeing SP, as her DD's had CP too.
Try not to worry,if this doesnt help,the procedure on an adult is done in Out-patients as its so simple,and just uncomfortable,but obviously a child wouldnt lay still,so may be sedated,or a quick waft of anaesthetic,but its a 30 second job.

thanks nursejo! Yes I know you from the other thread! Hope we can meet soon! I will try the milking thing next time it plays up. Hope your DD is all better now.

Yes they are both free of the Pox now thanks.
Glad to be of help,hope it will be useful.Nothing definite seems to have been arranged for this Thursday,I'm at work in the morning,but if it gets changed to the afternoon,I might see you.

wow thursday is tomorrow!! I will check the thread. I havent had any emails about anything. Hope to see you soon anyway!

My DT2 had gluey eye and the milking thingy sorted him out. He always had 'salt marks' from when he was born and then the snotty stuff later on, but massaging the side of the nose cleared it up in 2 weeks.

Glad to hear it Merlypuss,nice to have it confirmed that it works for others too.Not just some nutty nurse rattling on.....

eenybeeny, ds2 has this, both eyes the ducts are blocked. He was referred to the eye hospital when he was 12 months, they looked at it, said to come back in 6 months, so they could see whether it was resolving or not. After 6 months it was much better, they said (and I quote) - well we can either operate or discharge him...

So slightly different choices there. I said that we should leave it for now, but I always have the option of getting another referral via the GP. He is 2 now, and his eyes do still weep a fair bit - whenever it's windy or cold, and if he gets a cold then he often gets conjunctivitis in his eyes, so I may ask for another referral.

It's a pain isn't it! And I really don't like the idea of them probing their eyes. I don't think it's a 'problem' as such, but could be annoying later on.

Should add, if they do an op, I think it's a GA, and they just probe the duct with something which sounds horrible, but is very straightforward. The GA was what put me off having it (and also the fact that the doctor wouldn't advise me one way or the other - it was all 'it's your choice)....

They do tend to grow out of this,its just their tearducts arent as efficient as an adults,and they rub their eyes alotand dont gently blink things away as we do instinctively.If it was me I'd "milk" them occasionally, when they sem extra weepy,would probably avoid needing surgery then,unless they get really infected etc.