What causes eye discharge in babies?

It’s important to know that discharge does not always signal pink eye. Watery or goopy eyes in infants can also arise from:

Chemical irritants, usually prophylactic medicines administered shortly after birth including erythromycin and gentamicin drops
Blocked tear duct, which often goes away on its own by 12 months of age but may require surgery if it lingers on
Epiblepharon, when the lower lid and lashes roll inward and irritate the eye
Eye trauma such as a corneal abrasion following delivery, the baby scratching themself or getting injured by a sibling, toy or other object
Congenital glaucoma, a rare eye condition that is often accompanied by a cloudy or enlarged cornea

Your pediatrician should be able to identify these alternate causes of eye secretions and refer you to a pediatric ophthalmologist if needed.