Just like adult's, children’s eyes are protected by eyelids and eyelashes. Babies in particular have very delicate eyes that need special hygienic care. The lacrimal glands on babies tend to produce more fluid than those of young people or adults.

This is particularly important because the immune system is still weak and tears contain an enzyme that protects against infections. The more tears produced the more crusts develop around the eye, which then need to be carefully removed.

Why is eye hygiene for children so important?

Besides water, tears are also made up of mucus which is also important for lubricating the eyes. Baby's eyes produce more of this mucus. Dried mucus can cause crusting around eyelashes and eyelids. Moreover, in many small children tears do not drain through the tiny lacrimal ducts but overflow and cause teary eyes. This can cause more crusting around the eyes. All crusts caused by regular tears, dirt or irritations make the eyes susceptible for bacterial infections. Therefore, parents should pay careful attention to their child's eyecare.

What’s the best way to clean children’s eyes?

Many parents ask exactly how they should care for their children\'s eyes. Normally, eyes are cleaned sufficiently while washing the face every day. It is important to try and always wipe the eyes towards the nose. If this is done in the other direction, the lower eyelid can easily be lifted from the eyeball and crusts could get into the eyes from the edge of the lid. Hard, sharp-edged crusts can easily damage the cornea.

Special hygienic cleaning pads are ideal for daily gentle cleaning of baby's and small children's eyes. Sterile pads are packed individually and soaked with plant extracts, which cleanse and soothe the eye. Be careful when using household remedies such as camomile rinses. Camomile is known to have a soothing effect and in most cases this is true. According to latest studies, however, camomile can have a drying effect on the eyes. In addition, camomile often contains pollen, which can easily cause allergic reactions. And if the homemade solution has been sitting a while it may become an ideal environment for bacterial growth. When it comes to eye hygiene it is best to stick to tested products recommended by your chemist or other healthcare professional. Observe your child carefully. If you are unsure of how you to clean your child's eyes, don't hesitate to ask your eyecare specialist.