​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.

For more information about nasolacrimal duct obstruction: https://aapos.org/terms/conditions/72