Sticky or crusty eyes in babies are very common and usually harmless. Learn the causes, when to worry, and simple home care tips.

It is very common for newborns and young babies to wake up with sticky, crusty, or gummy eyes. In most cases this is not a sign of infection and resolves with simple care.

Why It Happens

Babies' tear ducts are very narrow at birth and may be partially blocked. This causes tears and eye secretions to accumulate and dry, forming a yellowish or whitish crust on the eyelids.

Common Causes

Blocked tear duct (Nasolacrimal duct obstruction) — the most common cause in newborns; the thin membrane covering the tear duct has not yet opened completely

Normal eye secretions — all eyes produce mucus; in babies this builds up more easily

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) — bacterial or viral infection; usually presents with more discharge and redness

Chemical conjunctivitis — caused by antibiotic drops given at birth; resolves within 24–48 hours

Allergy — less common in very young babies

How to Tell If It's Serious

| Sign | Likely Cause | Action |

|------|-------------|--------|

| Yellow/white crust, no redness, baby comfortable | Blocked duct | Home massage, warm cleaning |

| Yellow/green pus, red eye, baby fussy | Bacterial conjunctivitis | See doctor |

| Watery discharge, both eyes, cold/sneezing | Viral conjunctivitis | Usually self-limiting; see doctor |

| Swollen eyelids, very red, fever | Serious infection | Emergency care |

Home Care for Sticky Eyes

Warm saline cleaning — use a clean cotton ball moistened with sterile saline or boiled cooled water; wipe from inner corner outward; use a new cotton ball for each wipe

Tear duct massage (Crigler massage) — place your clean index finger on the side of the nose just below the inner corner of the eye; apply gentle downward pressure 6–10 times, 3 times a day; this helps open the blocked duct

Never share eye wipes between the two eyes to avoid cross-contamination

When to See a Doctor

Green or thick yellow discharge

Red, swollen eyelids

The sticky eyes are present in both eyes and worsening

Baby appears to be in pain or is unusually irritable

No improvement after 2–3 weeks of massage

When Does It Resolve?

Most blocked tear ducts resolve naturally by 12 months of age as the duct matures. If not resolved by 12–18 months, a simple procedure (probing) may be recommended by an ophthalmologist.

Iswarya Hospital's Pediatrics and Ophthalmology teams can guide you through the management of your baby's sticky eyes.

Why Does My Baby Have Sticky Eyes After Sleep?