For many parents, seeing their little ones with tearing or eye discharge can be concerning, especially when the issue occurs on an ongoing basis. Though several conditions might potentially be at play, there's a good chance a blocked tear duct is responsible. Understanding the causes and potential treatments for this common condition is important for ensuring the best outcomes for affected children, to say nothing of parents' own peace of mind.
What's going, exactly?
Tears normally drain through two small openings in the eyelids and enter the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. If the duct is obstructed, the tears will not drain into the nose causing a backflow of tears and discharge from the eye.
Nasolacrimal duct (tear duct) obstruction is very common, and approximately 7 percent of children are born with the condition. Fortunately, of that 7 percent, 95 percent of children will outgrow the condition by the age of 12 to 14 months.
While waiting for the condition to resolve spontaneously, the discharge can be simply removed by a warm cloth or cotton pad. Sometimes nasolacrimal duct massages are recommended if the discharge is excessive. Antibiotic drops are also sometimes prescribed.
Is surgery required?
Sometimes. Specifically, if the child is over 14 months old, a nasolacrimal duct probing may be necessary. This is done with a brief general anesthetic as an outpatient procedure with the child going home the same morning as the procedure. At University Children's Eye Center, our surgeons use an advanced technique to give a success rate of over 97 percent in children under the age of 24 months with nasolacrimal duct obstructions.
Click here to learn more about blocked tear duct surgery.
Conclusion
While blocked tear ducts can be a source of consternation, especially for new parents, most children will outgrow this condition without the need for extensive intervention. Simple home care practices and, if necessary, medical treatments can help manage symptoms effectively. By keeping themselves informed and working closely with qualified pediatric eye care providers, parents can navigate the challenges of blocked tear ducts with confidence, and (hopefully, at least) breathe easy when all is said and done.
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