Blocked Tear Duct

A blocked tear duct is a very common condition among babies and young children, and it’s treatable in most of the cases.

Blocked tear duct

A blocked tear duct occurs when the tears are blocked from leaving the eyes as they should. Due to that, the tears back up into the tear duct system and into the affected eye.

Tears provide many benefits to the eyes; they lubricate the eye surface, help the cornea absorb oxygen, and also contain immune factors that protect the eye from infections and help it fight them.

Causes and risk factors of blocked tear duct

• Congenital tear duct obstruction, which occurs because the baby still has an unbroken membrane.
• Narrow tear ducts.
• Injuries and infections.
• Tumors or growths.
• Tear stones.
• Aging.
• The risk of a blocked tear duct increases due to the following factors: glaucoma, a chronic eye inflammation, eye or sinus surgery, and a previous cancer treatment.

Symptoms of blocked tear duct

• Watery eyes.
• Blurry vision.
• Recurrent rubbing of the eyes or face around the blocked duct.
• Redness and swelling.
• Crusting of the eyelids.
• Pus or mucus discharge.
• Infections from the blockage can cause eye pain, sinus pressure, fever, and fussiness or irritability.
• A tear duct obstruction can lead to infections or abscesses.

Diagnosis of blocked tear duct

• Tear drainage test.
• Eye imaging tests.
• Irrigation and probing.

Treatment of blocked tear duct

• Medicines.
• Dilation, probing, and flushing.
• Stenting (intubation).
• Balloon catheter dilation.
• Surgery, such as dacryocystorhinostomy.