Contents
- 1 Will a Clogged Tear Duct Heal on Its Own? 11 Causes
Will a Clogged Tear Duct Heal on Its Own? 11 Causes
A clogged tear duct will typically heal on its own in adults unless it becomes infected. You can open up a blocked tear duct with warm compress and massage. Babies may require medical treatment.
If your blocked tear duct does not resolve on its own, consult your ophthalmologist.
What are symptoms of a blocked tear duct?
Tear ducts function primarily as a drainage system. When they become blocked, tears are unable to drain normally, causing symptoms such as:
- Excessive tearing
- Irritation and dryness in the eyes
- Tenderness and redness near the inside corner of the eye
- Pus discharge
- Crusty buildup
- Poor or blurred vision
- Recurrent eye infections
- Fever
- Blood-tinged tears in rare cases
- Symptoms that worsen in certain weather conditions
11 causes of a blocked tear duct
A blockage can occur anywhere along the length of the tear duct. Common causes of clogged tear ducts may include:
- Congenital blockage
- Craniofacial abnormalities
- Age
- Chronic sinusitis
- Infections
- Injury
- Polyps
- Tumor
- Cancer treatment
- Eye drops
- Previous surgery
How is the cause of a clogged tear duct diagnosed?
Doctors may ask about your symptoms, examine your eyes, and run tests to determine the cause of your condition. They may also examine your nasal cavity. If your doctor suspects a blocked tear duct, they may recommend additional tests, such as tear drainage test, irrigation and probing, and eye imaging tests.
What are treatment options for a clogged tear duct?
The best course of treatment depends on the cause of the blockage:
- Congenital blockage: Wait and gently massage the baby’s face and eyes.
- Infection: Use antibiotic eye drops.
- Injury: Wait for the blockage to clear up as the injury heals.
- Tumor: Remove the tumor through surgery or other treatments.
If these remedies don’t work or the blockage is more serious, consider drainage, balloon catheter dilation, or stenting or intubation.
What is surgery for a clogged tear duct?
Surgery
Dacryocystorhinostomy opens up the nasal passageways and allows tears to drain properly. There are two main types of this surgery.
- External dacryocystorhinostomy: Make an opening on the side of the nose and insert a stent.
- Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: Insert microscopic instruments through the nose into the ducts.
After surgery, use nasal decongestant sprays and eye drops. After 6-12 weeks, return to the doctor’s office for stent removal.
Side effects
Following surgery, side effects may include nausea, vomiting, blood-tinged tears, nasal secretions, and bruising around the eye.
Recovery
Recovery may take up to 90 days.
How can you prevent a clogged tear duct?
To prevent eye infections, wash your hands frequently, avoid rubbing your eyes, replace eyeliner and mascara regularly, never share cosmetics with others, and keep your contact lenses clean.
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