Blocked tear ducts
Tears help clean and lubricate the eye and are produced in the lacrimal gland
located under the bone of the eyebrow. Tears from the lacrimal gland go into the
eye through tiny ducts along the eyelid. Tears drain through two small openings
at the inner corner of the eyelids, then drain into a larger passage from the
eye to the inside of the nose, called the nasolacrimal (tear) duct.
In some babies, the openings into the nasolacrimal duct have not formed
properly. This causes a blockage and the tears have no place to drain. A blocked
tear duct can occur in one or both eyes. The blockage may be present at all
times, or it may come and go.
What are the symptoms of a blocked tear duct?
Because infants do not produce tears until they are several weeks old, a
blocked tear duct may not be noticed at birth. The following are the most common
symptoms of a blocked tear duct. However, each child may experience symptoms
differently.
Symptoms may include:
- Tears pooling in the corner of your baby's eye
- Tears draining down your baby's eyelid and cheek
- Mucus or yellowish discharge in the eye
- Reddening of the skin from rubbing
A blocked tear duct may be noticeable only when a baby cries, or in cold or
windy weather when tears are stimulated.
The symptoms of a blocked tear duct may resemble other conditions or medical
problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
How is a blocked tear duct diagnosed?
A blocked
tear duct is usually diagnosed based on a complete medical history and a
physical examination of your child. Additional tests are not usually required to
confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for a blocked tear duct:
Specific
treatment for a blocked tear duct will be determined by your child's physician
based on:
- Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- The extent of the condition
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the condition
- Your opinion or preference
The most common treatment for a blocked tear duct is gently "milking"
or massaging the nasolacrimal duct two to three times a day. Your child's
physician will show you how to do this. If there are symptoms of infection,
antibiotics, especially for use in the eye, may be used. Fortunately, nearly all blocked
tear ducts heal on their own and usually by the time the child is one year old. If the
duct remains blocked after this time, the duct opening can be enlarged with a
small probe. This may need to be repeated, but this procedure is effective in
most cases. Very few children require surgery to repair a blocked or defective
tear duct.