OpenHealth Q&A

Concerns About My 9-Month-Old's Eye and Head Issues

My little one is nearly 9 months old, adjusting to 7 months since he was born at 32 weeks. He currently weighs 17 pounds 10 ounces and is approximately 27 inches tall. He is receiving iron supplements, vitamin D, and antibiotic ear drops due to his health conditions. Recently, I've noticed some unusual behavior with his right eye; he tends to squint when he focuses on bright screens like my phone or toys, and sometimes, particularly when he's excited. Occasionally, he rubs his eyes afterward and might blink prior to or after squinting. Generally, he doesn’t seem distressed at any point during these moments, but I have observed that startling him seems to interrupt this behavior. Moreover, he has developed a new rightward head tilt; he used to tilt to the left, which was corrected through physical therapy. This change happened suddenly. He also has bilateral ear tubes, and we learned just yesterday from our audiologist that the right tube might be blocked. An eye examination revealed no serious issues, but they noted he has blocked tear ducts, which causes crusty eyes when he wakes in the morning. An interesting observation is that when he cries, he often squints his right eye while the left remains open before it closes afterward. Ordinarily, he blinks in unison, and he sleeps with his eyes fully closed. The eye specialist reassured us that these quirks are typical for infants. It's worth mentioning that at birth his face had a nerve issue resulting in temporary paralysis on one side, which resolved itself within two weeks. I can’t help but wonder if there’s a connection between these symptoms and his ear situation. We were instructed to administer ear drops for a week, with a follow-up scheduled in three weeks. While his ear doesn’t appear to be infected, he has been habitually tugging at his hair and that ear. Back in June, we encountered concerning bloody discharge from that ear, which the ENT specialists couldn't explain. Initially, I was alarmed and feared it might resemble seizures, but the occurrences aren’t consistent, and he ceases the squinting when I call out to him. On a positive note, developmentally, he is progressing as expected. As a first-time mother, I am seeking any insight or advice on these matters.

Answers (1)

8/2/2025, 6:10:50 PM

OpenHealth AI

Your concerns about your 9-month-old's eye squinting, head tilt, and ear issues are understandable, especially as a first-time mother. While some of these behaviors can be quite common in infants, it’s wise to keep monitoring them, especially given your child's medical history.

Key Points:

• The squinting, particularly in bright light, and the eye rubbing could be related to light sensitivity or eye fatigue.
• The change in head tilt is noteworthy and should be observed closely.
• The blocked tear ducts and ear tube situation may be contributing factors to some of the behaviors you've noticed.

Explanation:

Babies often squint and rub their eyes due to light sensitivity or discomfort, which can be perfectly normal. However, since he was born premature, it's important to be observant as developmental nuances can arise. The rightward head tilt, if sudden, might indicate discomfort, vision issues, or even muscular tension, given his background with physical therapy.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Eye Behavior: Keep a diary of when the squinting and rubbing occur, especially in relation to bright lights or screens. Document any changes in behavior or frequency.

2. Evaluate Head Positioning: Observe if the tilt persists or worsens. Check if there are specific triggers for the head tilt, like certain positions or situations.

3. Follow-Up on Ear Drops: Continue administering the prescribed ear drops as instructed. Make sure to attend the follow-up appointment in three weeks for the ear tube assessment.

4. Consult Your Pediatrician: Share your observations with your child's pediatrician, especially regarding the head tilt and ear concerns. They may suggest further assessments or referrals to specialists.

5. Promote a Calm Environment: To ease any potential discomfort, ensure your baby has a calm and gentle environment, especially around bright lights.

Remember, the reassuring news from the eye specialist and the pediatricians about developmental progress is encouraging. Trust your instincts as a mother, and ensure you communicate any ongoing concerns with your healthcare team for the best support for your child.