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Medically-verified treatment options for a clogged tear duct
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Does your eye feel watery, inflamed, or swollen? Or maybe you’ve noticed that your baby’s eye looks infected or irritated. These symptoms could be caused by a blocked tear duct, which is a minor issue that typically goes away on its own. In this article, we’ll give you home remedies you can use to reduce irritation and promote healing. We’ll also tell you about the medical treatment options available and how you can diagnose a blocked tear duct on your own.
Things You Should Know
- Clean the area with warm water and use a warm compress to promote drainage.
- Massage the eye gently to open up the tear duct and let it drain.
- See a doctor for medical treatment, like antibiotics or eye drops.
Steps
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Cleanse the area with warm water 2 to 3 times per day. Get a washcloth or a cotton ball wet with warm (not hot) water, then gently wipe away the drainage from your eye. As you wipe, use a clean part of the washcloth or the cotton ball to avoid spreading any of the infection back into your eye. [1] X Research source
- Keep cleansing the eye until the blocked tear duct clears up.
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Apply a warm compress to promote drainage. Get a washcloth wet with warm water, then squeeze out any excess. Press the compress against the top of the tear duct for 3 to 5 minutes to open up the tear duct and allow it to drain. [2] X Research source
- Never use the same washcloth on both eyes. If you have a blocked tear duct in your other eye, use a second, clean washcloth instead.
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Massage the area to unblock the duct. A lacrimal sac massage opens up the tear duct to encourage drainage. Place your index fingers at the corners of the eye, close to the sides of your nose. Apply pressure to the spot for several seconds, then release. Repeat this massage up to 5 times per day to promote healing. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
- Your doctor may show you how to perform this massage on yourself or on your baby.
- Always remember to wash your hands before performing a lacrimal sac massage, as you don't want to risk introducing bacteria to the eyes and causing an infection.
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See your doctor if your symptoms worsen. Physical examination by a medical professional is required in order to diagnose a blocked tear duct. While simple inflammation might be causing the blockage, it could also be a tumor or another serious medical problem, so it's important to see your doctor. [4] X Research source
- To test for a blocked tear duct, the doctor will flush out the eye using a special liquid that has a flavor. If the flavor cannot be tasted in the back of the throat, then a blocked tear duct will likely be diagnosed. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
- Other tests may include an X-ray or CT scan of the tear duct area (called a dacryocystogram).
- The doctor will also ask you to describe your symptoms, which are of great clinical value as they can help to rule out other eye conditions like congenital conjunctivitis and glaucoma.
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Use antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Eye drops and ointments are usually prescribed first for blocked tear ducts, since they help tackle infections. Go to the doctor and get a prescription, then use the drops as your doctor recommends. [6] X Research source
- To use the eye drops , shake the bottle well, tilt your head back, then place the recommended number of drops into the eye. Close the eye for 30 seconds to a minute to allow the eye drops to be absorbed.
- Always wash your hands before using eye drops to avoid introducing bacteria to the eye. After applying the eye drops, wash your hands again.
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Take oral antibiotics to fight tear duct infection. Oral antibiotics will be prescribed to help with the blocked tear duct if the cause of the blocked duct is infection. These medicines will not open up your tear duct, but they do help cure the infection. [7] X Research source
- Oral antibiotics are usually recommended for gonococcal and chlamydial infections of the eye.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics are generally used for bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Always take the recommended dosage prescribed by your doctor.
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Ask your doctor about probing and irrigation. Dilation, probing, and irrigation is a minimally invasive treatment that can also be done to clear a blocked tear duct. *The procedure is performed by dilating the puncta (the two little holes in the eyelid) with a tiny metal dilating tool. After that, a probe is moved through the passageway until it reaches the nose. When the probe reaches the nose the passage is irrigated using a sterile liquid. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
- This procedure is done as an outpatient procedure that is really easy for an adult. For a baby, it is usually performed under general anesthesia. The procedure only takes about 30 minutes.
- If you (or your child) are set to receive this treatment, it's important that you avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or another over-the-counter NSAID in the 2 weeks before the surgery, as it could lead to bleeding.
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Consider "stenting" or intubation treatment. Intubation is another minimally invasive treatment option. Similar to probing and irrigation, its goal is to open the blockage in the tear duct. During the procedure, a thin tube is then inserted through the tear sac at the corners of the eyes until it reaches the nose. This tube is then left in the duct for 3 to 4 months to allow the tear duct to drain and prevent it from getting blocked again. [9] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
- Typically, this procedure is done under general anesthesia.
- The tube itself is barely noticeable, but after the surgery certain precautions must be taken to prevent infection. You must avoid rubbing your eyes in case you move or damage the tube and you must always remember to wash your hands before touching your eyes.
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Undergo surgery as a last resort. When the tear duct cannot be unblocked using one of the methods described above, it needs to be removed entirely in a procedure known as a dacryocystorhinostomy. This is done by creating a bypass communication between the tear duct and the nose, which allows the tears to drain. [10] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
- Laser dacryocystorhinostomy involves an endoscope that has a laser that can cut through body tissues. The laser will cut a hole in the nasal bone to connect the tear duct and the nasal cavity.
- A fistula is then inserted in the duct, serving as the passageway of the tears.
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Look for symptoms like watery eyes and crust. The most common symptom is increased tearing in the eye. These tears may overflow to the face. When suffering from a blocked tear duct, tears may be a little bit thicker than normal and crust over as they dry. Other symptoms include: [11] X Research source
- Recurrent eye inflammation or infection.
- Blurred vision.
- Mucus or pus-like discharge in the eye lids.
- Blood-tinged tears.
- Fever.
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Check for an infection in the eye. A blocked tear duct (also known as dacryocystitis) happens when there is an obstruction in the passageway that connects the eyes to the nose or when the duct fails to open. This is most common in newborn babies, but it can also happen to adults as a result of infection, injury, or tumor. Here are the common causes: [12] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source
- Congenital blockage, which happens often in newborns
- Age-related changes
- Infections in the eye
- Trauma to the face
- Tumors
- Cancer treatments
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Prevent a blocked tear duct by treating eye infections promptly. Even mild eye infections (like pink eye) can lead to a blocked tear duct, especially long-term. If you ever have an eye infection, visit your doctor right away for diagnosis and treatment. [13] X Research source
- Blocked tear ducts are very common in babies, especially those under 6 months old. For babies, it isn’t really possible to prevent a blocked tear duct; treating it is the best way to clear the infection up fast.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs laser surgery safe to open the tear duct?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.Laser dacryocystorhinostomy is a safe procedure where the doctor will use a scope, which also contains a laser, to help open the connection between the tear duct and the nasal cavity. You and your doctor can discuss what treatment is best for your particular condition.
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QuestionMy one month baby's left eye is sticky and watering. What should I do?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.If your baby's tears are sticky or leaving a crust, along with excessive watering, you should visit the pediatrician to ensure an infection isn't present. Always wash your hands and use caution when cleaning your infant's eye with a gentle cloth and warm water.
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Tips
- As many as 1/3 of babies are born with a dacryocystitis (blocked tear ducts), but they usually get better on their own after a few months, when the tear duct drainage system matures. [14] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=bo1317
- ↑ https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/structured-content/Condition_Blocked_Tear_Ducts_-_Nasolacrimal_Duct_Obstruction_-_Pediatrics.xml?co=%2Fregions%2Fncal
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/treatment-blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/blocked-tear-duct-diagnosis
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=bo1317
- ↑ https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/structured-content/Condition_Blocked_Tear_Ducts_-_Nasolacrimal_Duct_Obstruction_-_Pediatrics.xml?co=%2Fregions%2Fncal
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/treatment-blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/treatment-blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/treatment-blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/treatment-blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/blocked-tear-duct
- ↑ https://www.kidshealth.org/en/parents/tear-duct-obstruct-surgery.html&sa=D&ust=1503600440812000&usg=AFQjCNH5_g4LXNYMfly_nvNeP9CNChOycg
About This Article
Article Summary
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To tell if you have a blocked tear duct, look for thick, overflowing tears that crust over when they dry, as well as blurred vision, blood-tinged tears, or pus-like discharge in the eyelids. At home, try applying a warm compress to your eye to open the duct and allow it to drain more easily. If your symptoms persist, visit your doctor so they can give you a diagnosis and recommend treatment. They will probably prescribe eye drops to clear the ducts, or antibiotics if you have an infection. For more tips from our Medical co-author, like how to clear your baby’s blocked tear duct, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Thanks. Have discussed blocked tear duct with three ophthalmologists and an eye surgeon, and none of them suggested using warm compresses or massage, which I'm eager to try. The idea of surgery does not appeal to me, so I'll try these two options first!" ..." more
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"Thanks. Have discussed blocked tear duct with three ophthalmologists and an eye surgeon, and none of them suggested using warm compresses or massage, which I'm eager to try. The idea of surgery does not appeal to me, so I'll try these two options first!"
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"Confirmed my thoughts on cause and treatment. Clear, concise, intelligible information and layout. Went from simple to more invasive treatments. Liked the fact that this was less anxiety provoking than I thought it would be."
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"I like how it broke down all possible causes of the duct infections and procedures that can be applied. The language was clear and not too complicated, and the visual aid helped me with understanding each concept."
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"This article was helpful because it says surgery should be a last resort. The doctor I went to wanted to do the stent immediately, now I will talk with my own eye doctor."
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"I was worried that my condition was getting worse, but the article explained what I could do for the next 3 weeks while I wait for the Dr. appointment."
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