Blocked Tear Ducts: Symptoms

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Symptoms

Babies with blocked tear ducts usually have symptoms after they start producing tears, which can be any time from the first few days to the first few weeks after birth. Symptoms often affect only one eye and usually include:

• Excessive tearing. The eye may appear moist or wet with or without drops flowing down the face (epiphora). Very few babies produce a heavy stream of tears.
• Buildup of a yellowish white substance at the inner corner of the eye. It may also collect on the eyelashes and the lining of the eyelids (conjunctiva). The eyelids may stick together, especially after sleeping.
• Swelling and redness of the eyelids and irritation of the surrounding skin. If a tear duct (lacrimal duct) remains partially or completely blocked, the tear duct sac fills with fluid, and an infection can develop in the drainage system. The infection may cause fever, inflammation (redness and swelling) and tenderness alongside the nose, and mucus or pus in the eye.

The symptoms of a blocked tear duct may get worse after an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or sinus infection. Also, symptoms may be more noticeable after exposure to wind, cold, and sunlight.

Last updated:	April 11, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC