Blocked Tear Duct

Organ of vision is the eye and it is exposed to various kinds of pollution and dust constantly. An eyelid and eyelashes protect an eye. Another function of eyelids and eyelashes is to keep the eyes moist. If an eye were not moist, the cornea would dry out and could be easily injured.

Tears frequently lubricate the eyes and the eyelids help in moving tears across the eyes. The ducts lacrimal and punctum help in draining out the tears and they situated on the lower and the upper lids. Small tubes known as canaliculi are located at the inner corner of the eyelids. The tears enter the eyes from the ducts through the canaliculi. The tears then pass into lacrimal sac located between the nose and the eyes.

Studies reveal, children are at times born with blocked tear ducts or under-developed tear duct system. A blocked tear duct could cause infection in young children. However, if blocked tear ducts are diagnosed at an early stage, it could be treated.

Blocked Tear Duct – What is it?

Dacryostenosis or nasolacrimal duct is a condition that is present at the time of birth; this is the medical term for blocked tear duct. When the tear duct is obstructed it would not allow tears to be drained from the eyes. This condition is known as blocked tear duct. This condition occurs mainly in newborn babies. Since there is no passage to drain off the tears, fluid accumulates in the tear sac. This would lead to inflammation and swell in the eyes. If left untreated, it could lead to eye infection. Though blocked tear ducts does not occur in adults, there are possibilities of its occurring in senior adults.

Causes of Blocked Tear Duct

If the thin tissue at the end of the tear duct is not open at the time of birth, the newborn babies suffer from blocked tear duct.

Another cause of blocked tear duct in young children is an extra growth of nasal bone. This abnormal growth could put pressure on the tear duct and eventually close it.

If the corners of the eyes are not developed properly, this could lead to a blocked tear duct.

One of the causes of blocked tear duct in adults is the thickening of the lining of the tear duct. The other causes are sinus, injured bone and tissues around the region near the eyes, tumor growth or untreated eye infections.

Blocked Tear Duct – Symptoms and diagnosis

One of the early symptoms of a block tear duct is the constant running of tears down the cheek. This symptom is seen in babies a few days after the birth. Another symptom is the swelling around the nose and sometime the eyes could turn red. If the upper respiratory region is infected by cold, there is a possible tear duct symptom becoming worse.

Medical examinations are done to diagnose a blocked tear duct. Certain tests are conducted to see if the tears are drained from the eyes into the nose and also the production of tear is measured.

A blocked tear duct could be treated using antibiotics and in certain complications a surgery would be recommended. However, in newborn babies, a blocked tear duct is cured by itself without any treatment when he turns a year old. To prevent an eye infection, the eyes of a baby should be cleaned frequently. Only if there are any signs of a swell or yellowish discharge, a medical assistance is required.