Infant son swollen eye

[Stefanie996]

My son is two weeks old and since his birth his eye keeps getting worst.  At first he barely open his one eye and I just assumed that was becasue he wasn't very awake and slepted alot and now that is becoming more allert he doesn't open the one eye as much as the other eye and he also can't open it as big as the other eye and when they are closed you can tell the eye that he doesn't open much is alittle swollen.  I called his pederatration and they told me just to wait until he comes in for his 2 month check up but it is in 6 weeks from now and I am worried.  Do you know what could be wrong with his eye and if I need to go see an eye doctor for him?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Stefanie996,

I would recommend that you take your son to an eyeMD to determine whether he is tracking and his eye are aligned.  Children can have “squints” which is closing of one eye due to a misalignment of the two eyes.  If this is present, the eyeMD may have some recommendations.  Try to determine whether it is predominantly one eye which is closed or if it alternates.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I would insist that the pediatrician take a look at him.  That is the first step.  If he sees something abnormal, then a referral can be made to a pediatric ophthalmologist.

MJK M D