How do you treat a blocked tear duct?

1. Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment.
2. Tear Duct Probing. If your child’s tear duct doesn’t open on its own by age one, the doctor can do a procedure to remove the blockage.
3. Balloon Catheter Dilation.

What happens if a blocked tear duct goes untreated?

You should see your doctor if you tear constantly for several days or if your eye is repeatedly or continually infected. Left untreated, this can develop into a more severe infection called cellulitis which sometimes requires hospitalization for treatment.

What does blocked tear duct go away?

Often a blocked tear duct clears up on its own, especially in babies under 6 months old. If your child has a blocked tear duct, your doctor may show you how to massage the eye several times a day at home for a few months. Massaging can help open the blockage.

How does a doctor unblock a tear duct?

probing using a thin metal instrument: The ophthalmologist gently passes a thin metal instrument (probe) through the tear duct to open the blockage. Then they flush the duct with sterile water to make sure the pathway is clear. This is the procedure most often used for blocked tear ducts.

How long does a clogged tear duct last?

Most cases of clogged tear ducts will resolve as your baby gets older — typically by 12 months of age, especially with at-home treatments. But, if your baby has clogged tear ducts past 1 year of age, your doctor may recommend a simple procedure to help unclog the tear ducts.

Do blocked tear ducts go away in adults?

The condition is caused by a partial or complete obstruction in the tear drainage system. A blocked tear duct is common in newborns. The condition usually gets better without any treatment during the first year of life. In adults a blocked tear duct may be due to an injury, an infection or rarely, a tumor.

How long does it take for a blocked tear duct to clear up?

Most cases of clogged tear ducts will resolve as your baby gets older — typically by 12 months of age, especially with at-home treatments.

How do you massage a blocked tear duct?

Massage of Lacrimal Sac – Do it Carefully:

1. Some doctors suggest massage of the lacrimal sac (where tears collect).
2. The lacrimal sac is in the inner corner of the lower eyelid.
3. A cotton swab works much better than a finger.
4. Start at the inner corner of the eye and press upward.

Can you go blind from a blocked tear duct?

Significant discomfort, impaired vision, and an increased risk of infection can all result from a blocked tear duct. Adults experiencing the symptoms of a blocked tear duct should consider seeing a doctor if: watery eyes are interfering with everyday activities.

What causes clogged tear ducts in adults?

Chronic infection or inflammation of your eyes, tear drainage system or nose can cause your tear ducts to become blocked. Injury or trauma. An injury to your face can cause bone damage or scarring near the drainage system, disrupting the normal flow of tears through the ducts.

How long does clogged tear duct last?

How to get rid of a tear duct blockage?

1 Massage. One of the easiest ways to fix a blockage in babies (or adults) is to massage the lacrimal sac — the area where tears drain from the eye into 2 Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. 3 Tear Duct Probing.

How is a balloon catheter used for blocked tear ducts?

A balloon catheter dilation procedure opens tear drainage passages that are narrowed or blocked by scarring or inflammation. General anesthesia is used. A narrow catheter (tube) with a deflated balloon on the tip is guided through the lower nasolacrimal duct.

What kind of surgery is used to bypass a blocked tear duct?

A type of surgery called “DCR” (dacryocystorhinostomy) bypasses the blocked tear duct. Doctors usually do it in adults who haven’t improved with other treatments. They rarely use it in children.

When does a baby with a blocked tear duct get better?

Watch-and-wait or massage. Babies born with a blocked tear duct often get better without any treatment. This can happen as the drainage system matures during the first couple months of life. Often a thin tissue membrane remains over the opening that empties into the nose (nasolacrimal duct).