Blocked Tear Ducts

What Happens

Tear ducts can be fully or partially blocked. The blockage causes tears to back up inside the tear duct system and may cause the tears to overflow onto the face (epiphora). The blockage may also allow infection to develop in the tear ducts as bacteria and other substances collect in the eye. If the tear duct opens by itself, the infection may clear up without treatment.

Most blocked tear ducts are present at birth (congenital) and resolve on their own or open with simple treatment (probing) during the first year of life. More than 90% of all blocked ducts open on their own by the time a baby is 12 months old.² If probing is done within the first 13 months of life, it is about 97% effective in opening the duct.³

Most of the time, a blocked tear duct by itself usually does not permanently affect a baby's vision or increase the likelihood of having additional eye problems.

Infections may develop many times in the affected eye. Rarely, infection may spread to the eyelids and skin around the eye (periorbital cellulitis). Sometimes a pus-filled sac (dacryocystitis) also forms.

In adults, most blocked tear ducts are caused by infection, structural problems related to injury or surgery, or abnormal growths within the drainage system. Treatment for a blocked tear duct depends on the exact cause.

• Infections usually clear up with antibiotic treatment. Left untreated, the infection may resolve on its own. However, the area may stay swollen (but not tender), and the tear duct can easily become infected again later. If the infection does not clear up on its own and is left untreated, the area around the tear duct can become swollen and tender. The affected eye may become crusty from mucus drainage.
• If structural changes or abnormal growths are causing the tear duct blockage, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

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Author:	Amy Fackler, MA Carrie Henley	Last Updated: June 12, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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