Blocked tear duct

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

A blocked treat duct describes a partial or complete obstruction in the duct system that carries tears away from the surface of the eye to the nose.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Tears from the surface of the eye are normally drained into the nose by a convoluted tube called the nasolacrimal duct. If this duct is blocked, the tears will accumulate and overflow onto the cheek, even when a person isn't crying.

In children, the duct may not be completely developed at birth. This often resolves on its own. In adults, the duct can be damaged by infection, injury or tumor.

Symptoms    Return to top

The symptom is increased tearing, which overflows onto the face or cheek.

Signs and tests    Return to top

• Standard ophthalmic exam
• Internal examination of the nose
• Fluorescein eye stain to observe the drainage of tears
• Special X-ray studies may be done to study the duct

Treatment    Return to top

For children with incomplete nasolacrimal duct development, massaging the lacrimal sac area several times a day, as instructed by an ophthalmologist, may be enough to open the tear duct. Persistent cases may require opening by a probing procedure. This may occasionally require anesthesia.

Adults require treatment of the cause of the obstruction. This may re-open the duct if there is minimal damage. Often surgical reconstruction (dacryocystorhinostomy) will be needed to re-establish normal tear drainage and stop the overflow onto the cheek.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Congenital tear duct blockage often clears spontaneously by 6 months of age. If it does not clear on its own, the outcome is still likely to be good with treatment.

Tear duct obstruction in adults has a variable outcome depending on the cause.

Complications    Return to top

Tear duct blockage may increase the risk of eye infections.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Anyone with tear overflow onto the cheek requires examination, since one of the possible causes is a tumor. Earlier treatment is more successful, and may be lifesaving.

Prevention    Return to top

Many cases cannot be prevented. Adequate treatment of nasal infections and conjunctivitis may reduce risk. Safety measures may reduce the risk of trauma.