Blocked Tear Ducts: What Happens

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What Happens

Tear ducts can be fully or partially blocked. The blockage causes tears to back up inside the tear duct system and may cause the tears to overflow onto the face (epiphora). The blockage may also allow infection to develop in the tear ducts as bacteria and other substances collect in the eye. If the tear duct opens by itself, the infection may clear up without treatment.

Most blocked tear ducts are present at birth (congenital) and resolve on their own before a baby is 1 year old.¹ A few babies may need probing to open the ducts. Probing done around age 1 usually works well, and most babies don't need it done again.²

A blocked tear duct by itself usually does not permanently affect a baby's vision or increase the likelihood of having other eye problems.

Infections may develop many times in the affected eye. In rare cases, infection may spread to the eyelids and skin around the eye (periorbital cellulitis). Sometimes a pus-filled sac (dacryocystitis) also forms.

In adults, most blocked tear ducts are caused by infection, structural problems related to injury or surgery, or abnormal growths within the drainage system. Treatment for a blocked tear duct depends on the cause.

• Infections usually clear up with antibiotics. Left untreated, the infection may resolve on its own. But the area may stay swollen (though not tender), and the tear duct can easily become infected again later. If the infection does not clear up on its own and is left untreated, the area around the tear duct can become swollen and tender. The affected eye may become crusty from mucus drainage.
• If structural changes or abnormal growths are causing the tear duct blockage, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

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