Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
- A tear duct obstruction is when any part of the drainage system from the eye is blocked leading to a backup of the tears.
- This may happen at any age, usually after 6 weeks of age.
- Signs of an obstruction include tearing and drainage from the eye that may look like an infection.
- Tear duct obstruction is present in greater than 5% of babies due to a congenital obstruction of the duct.
- This can, many times, be treated with a simple massage over the tear drainage system.
- When this fails the obstruction can usually be treated with a simple in-office procedure without sedation.
- If that fails, or the obstruction is due to another cause, the treatment is, generally, surgery.