Usually no treatment is needed for a blocked tear duct in a baby.  It usually clears up on its own by the time the baby is one year old.  If it does not open by 6-8 months, we usually recommend treatment.  Keeping the baby's eyes clean to prevent infection until the duct opens may be all that you need to do.  If signs of infection develop, the baby may need antibiotic eye drops.

If the duct remains blocked after the baby is 6-8 months old, a simple procedure called a tear-duct probe may be done to open the duct.  Other surgical treatment is usually not needed. 

A tear-duct probe works in most cases but may be less effective as children become older.  For this reason, if a blocked tear duct has not resolved by age eight months, a tear-duct probe should be performed.  If purulent (pus) discharge cannot be well controlled with topical antibiotics and digital pressure, a tear-duct probe can be performed earlier.  Tear duct probing is performed in the operating room under light anesthesia. 

For a child who is older who has not had a tear-duct probe or who has had an unsuccessful probe, a new procedure called balloon catheter dacryoplasty is available.  In this procedure, a small catheter with a balloon tip is inserted into the tear duct to clear it out.

If you believe that your child's tear ducts may be blocked, please call us for an appointment, or use our online appointment request form.

BACK