Blocked tear duct
A blocked tear duct is a partial or complete blockage in the pathway that carries tears from the surface of the eye into the nose.
Tears are produced by the lacrimal gland located in the upper outer portion of each eye.
Tears drain into a tear duct through a very small opening in the corner of your eye, near your nose.
These irritations cause painful swelling in the eyes, produce permanent watery eyes and increase the risk of infection.
When the tear gland is properly functioning, it rolls off the lacrimal glands – which are situated above each eye – onto the surface of the eye.
It passes through the eyelid hole through the ductal canal and then to an area on the nose that contains sacs (lacrimal sacs).
They then move through ducts where they pass under a nose. These tubes form the tear ducts.
Its simple but intricate drainage system is a problem that can be blocked anywhere.
Who gets blocked tear ducts?
Babies often get blocked tear ducts when the tear-duct system is not fully developed.
A baby may have: a tear duct that is too narrow a web of tissue that blocks the duct
Older kids get blocked tear ducts less often. When they do, the cause may be: a polyp (extra tissue) in the nose a cyst or tumor in the nose an eye injury.
A broken nose can affect the tear ducts, too.
A tumor, even a noncancerous one, can cause a blocked tear duct if it’s anywhere in or near the tear duct drainage system.
Nasal polyps may also be to blame.
If you’re undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment, a possible side effect is a blocked tear duct.
Blocked tear duct symptoms
Some babies have a blocked tear duct at birth.
A child with a blocked tear duct may have: more tearing than usual (even when the child isn’t crying) dried crusting on the eyelashes mild redness or irritation of the eyes or eyelids (from the child rubbing them).
Babies with blocked tear ducts usually show symptoms between birth and 12 weeks of age. But sometimes the problem shows up later.
The most common symptom of a blocked tear duct is watery eyes and tears streaming from the eyes.
Other symptoms of a blocked tear duct can include: redness and irritation of the affected eye mucus or discharge coming from the eye crust forming on the eyelids eye infections, such as conjunctivitis , or pink eye blurred vision pain and swelling.
Causes of blocked tear duct
Adults most frequently develop a blocked tear duct as a result of: an infection in or near the eye an injury in or near the eye swelling around the eye a tumor.
For older adults, the abnormal narrowing of the tear drainage system is a common cause of a blocked tear duct.
However, there are many other possible causes of a blocked tear duct.
They include: chronic sinus infections, which can damage and block nasal tissue over time scar tissue from an injury, such as a broken nose age-related narrowing of the puncta, which are holes in the eyelids through which tears drain through.
Treatments of blocked tear duct
The key is having the cause of your blocked tear duct diagnosed and working with an ophthalmologist who’s experienced in treating this condition.
And while a blocked tear duct is often harmless for babies, in adults it can sometimes be a sign of a serious health problem.
Blocked tear ducts are often treatable and temporary, but if the condition lingers, you should see a doctor.
If you have a blocked tear duct, there are ways to get relief. Treatments can widen or bypass a blocked tear duct.
The treatment of a blocked tear duct depends on factors, such as the person’s age and the cause of the blockage.
A blocked tear duct is often seen in new-born babies . It generally gets unclogged on its own.
If you have any signs and symptoms of a clogged tear duct, you may consult a board-certified ophthalmologist to get the condition treated.
Tear Duct Probing
If the tear duct of your child is blocked at birth, your doctor may suggest removing the blockage.
The doctor places a small slit into either hole in your newborn child. It is painless surgery and usually stops the obstruction.
After tear duct examination a lot of people see blood-colored liquid flowing through their eyes.
It may be helpful to use eye drops or ointments a couple of times a day to prevent bacterial infection.
Balloon Catheter Dilation
Depending upon what happens, the doctor may suggest balloon catheter dilatation or other treatments.
When your baby is sleeping a doctor uses the catheter in the tear duct.
A pump releases air through inflating air balloon.
The doctor then removes and inflates the balloon in the same order so the vent can be enlarged.
Then the blockage is gone.
DCR
A type of surgery called “DCR” (dacryocystorhinostomy) bypasses the blocked tear duct.
Blocked nasolacrimal duct; Nasolacrimal duct obstruction. (NLDO)
A blocked tear duct is a partial or complete blockage in the pathway that carries tears from the surface of the eye into the nose.
Tears are produced by the lacrimal gland located in the upper outer portion of each eye.
Tears drain into a tear duct through a very small opening in the inner part of your eye.
Doctors usually do it in adults who haven’t improved with other treatments.
They rarely use it in children.
DCR creates a new route for tears to drain from the eye.
Sometimes the new opening totally bypasses the tear drainage system and lets tears flow straight into the nose.
Doctors can do DCR while you are asleep or awake.
The surgery can be done in one of two ways:
External. The surgeon makes a small cut on the side of your nose, which they close with stitches .
Endoscopic. The surgeon inserts tiny instruments and a camera through the opening of your nose.
This type of surgery causes less pain than external surgery and it doesn’t leave scars.
The surgeon will place a tube inside the new opening while it heals.
The doctor will remove the tube in about three or four months.
DCR usually relieves the tear duct blockage and its symptoms.
- Possible side effects include: Infection (your doctor will give you antibiotics to prevent this) Scars (from external surgery)
- Stuffy nose (you can treat this with a decongestant nasal spray)
- Bruises
Antibiotics
Your doctor may use antibiotic eye drops or ointments.
Antibiotic eye drops do not remove the blockage, but can help in the treatment of infections and clear discharges of eyes.
Home remedies for blocked tear ducts
Some home remedies may help relieve the symptoms of a blocked tear duct.
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 the tear duct.
Twice a day — in the morning and at night — take a cotton wash and rinse with water.
Upon slight movement the eye can be cleaned.
It’s possible the massage will push the membrane of a tear duct through it.
Massaging the eye may help relieve the blockage in the tear duct.
Your doctor will tell you how and how often it must be done.
This is helpful especially in relieving tear duct blockage in infants and children.
Place a clean index finger between the inner corner of the eye and the side of the nose.
Gently slide the index finger downwards while massaging the side of the nose. You can repeat it around 10 times in the morning and 10 times at night.
Possible complications
Tear duct blockage may lead to an infection (dacryocystitis) in part of the nasolacrimal duct called the lacrimal sac.
Most often, there is a bump on the side of the nose right next to the corner of the eye.
Treatment for this often requires oral antibiotics.
Sometimes, the sac needs to be surgically drained.
Best watery eyes treatment- TheraLIfe
References
“Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction.” American Rhinologic Society: “Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).” Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group. Archives of Ophthalmology , 2009
