Blocked Tear Ducts in Infants

Blocked tear ducts are also known as dacryostenosis or nasal duct obstruction, and is a common condition observed in about 20-30% newborns. In infants, it is a temporary condition and most of the babies have this issue resolved with little or no treatment by the time they attain the age of one year. Signs of blocked tear ducts emerge during the first few weeks after birth and may appear in one or both eyes of the infant. This is not contagious and is not like conjunctivitis. Let's find out more about this condition.

Causes of Blocked Tear Ducts

We have a duct called nasolacrimal duct, whose function is to drain tears secreted from the eyes into the nose. What happens in babies is that the nasolacrimal duct does not develop completely at the time of birth, thereby conducing to blockage in the channel. The tears produced drain out of the lacrimal sac of the eyes to enter the nasolacrimal duct. However, since the duct is blocked the tears cannot get drained through the nose and clog the eyes with a pool of tears. Some of the other factors that cause blocked tear ducts in infants are infections, underdeveloped openings or closures in parts of the eye from where tears are drained, etc. Moreover, abnormal growth of the nasal bone is also another reason, as it places pressure on the nasolacrimal duct and closes it.

Blocked Tear Ducts Symptoms

Detecting blocked tear ducts in infants as soon as possible is necessary to avoid dire situations. To be able to identify this condition, one needs to understand the different symptoms of a blocked tear duct. The symptoms associated with this condition are as follows:

• Matting in the eyes
• Excessive tearing
• Eyes appear wet all the time
• Tears spill onto the cheek
• Redness around the eyes
• Mucus like substance adhering to the eyelids

Redness in the infants eyes are caused due to the irritation felt by the eyes due to the salt content of the tears pooling in the eyes. The eyes may appear sticky after sleep, as the mucus-like yellow substance adheres itself to the eyelids of the infant.

How to Treat Blocked Tear Ducts?

Blocked tear ducts in infants involves blocking of the opening of the nasolacrimal duct by a sheer membrane. This membrane clears the duct's path gradually as the baby grows and by the time the baby attains the age of 10-12 months, the duct's path is free. Sometimes, it is also observed that after the block is cleared, in the next cold experienced by the infant, the eyes rebound to their watery state. However, this is not a dire situation as the newly opening duct is prone to get blocked by mucus. This gluey substance adhering to the eyelids can be wiped off with a cotton swab that has been dabbed in some boiled water (cool the water before soaking the cotton!).

Moreover, applying gentle but firm pressure on the outer region of the nose can help reduce the blockage in the upper portions of the nasolacrimal duct. In fact, such massaging will also help the nasolacrimal duct to develop completely. The symptoms in infants can get aggravated after exposure to cold weather, wind or even sunlight. Sometimes this condition can lead to conjunctivitis and needs to be treated with antibiotics. In case the condition persists even after the baby has completed a year, your health care provider may refer you to an ophthalmologist for treating blocked tear ducts. Surgery is needed only in extreme cases where the nasolacrimal duct does not clear off after all the different measures undertaken.

Blocked tear ducts in infants is a common phenomenon and does not call for any kind of panic. Slow, steady and hygienic cleaning of the baby's eyes and regular massages will help cure the condition. Keep in touch with your health care provider to be on the safe side!