Blocked Tear Ducts: Treatment Overview
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Treatment Overview
Most of the time, a blocked tear duct clears up on its own by the time a baby is 1 year old. But you can help prevent infection by keeping the eye clean and massaging the area of the blockage so fluid does not build up in the duct. If signs of infection develop, your baby may need an antibiotic medicine.
If the duct remains blocked after your baby is 6 months to 1 year old, probing may be done to open the duct. In rare cases, babies with blocked tear ducts have a more severe problem that requires more complicated surgery.
In adults, treatment depends on the cause of the blockage. If the duct is blocked due to a long-term (chronic) infection, antibiotic medicines are used. Surgery for blocked tear ducts may be needed for structural problems of the drainage system (such as from injury or age-related changes) or abnormal growths.
| Last updated: | April 11, 2008 |
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| 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 |
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