What are the treatments for blocked tear ducts in babies?

Infant tear duct blockage is actually a symptom of internal blockage. This phenomenon is not uncommon. In some cases, the condition will naturally improve and heal as the baby grows. However, if the tear duct blockage is more serious, it needs to be treated through surgery, which is tear duct unblocking surgery. It is best to perform the surgery after the baby is three years old.

1. Will a baby's tear duct obstruction heal on its own?

A baby's blocked tear duct will heal on its own. Most nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants and young children is congenital, and how to treat it depends on the age of the child. About 90% of patients will spontaneously resolve or recover within 6 weeks after birth. If the baby's nasolacrimal duct is still blocked after 6 months, surgical unblocking should be considered.

2. What is the cause of blocked tear ducts in babies?

The tear duct obstruction in newborns is caused by the fact that the lower end of the nasolacrimal duct has not yet fully developed and is blocked by a layer of congenital residual membrane or by epithelial cell debris for a period of time after birth, causing tear duct obstruction. In this way, the tears that are normally secreted cannot be discharged through the tear ducts, and the tears have to flow down the cheeks, resulting in the phenomenon of endless tears.

3. What are the dangers of blocked tear ducts in babies?

1. Eczema around the eyes: Children’s facial skin is delicate. Tears can irritate the skin around the eyes and cause rashes, erosions, and itching, which are difficult to heal for a long time.

2. Dacryocystitis: Simple tear duct obstruction may cause clear mucus to flow out without pus overflow. However, if the tear duct is blocked, tears will accumulate in the lacrimal sac and it is very easy to cause secondary infection and dacryocystitis. At this time, purulent fluid will flow out or there will be purulent eye discharge. If not treated in time, the lacrimal sac and lacrimal duct mucosa will have an inflammatory reaction, making it easy for the lacrimal duct to become blocked again after probing.

3. Tension tearing: The tear duct is blocked, and tears, mucus and even pus accumulate in the lacrimal sac for a long time, causing the lacrimal sac to lose its elasticity and tear drainage function. Even if the tear duct is unblocked, tension tearing will occur due to the inability of the lacrimal sac to contract.