Eyes - Blocked Tear Duct

The Eyeball is reserved damp and healthy by a skinny film of tears that is continuously produced by the lacrimal gland located underneath the top eyelid. Each time we blink, tears are sweep towards the inside corner of eye and drained through two tiny tubes called lacrimal ducts. From there, tears pass into the nasolacrimal sac, then into the nasolacrimal duct to the nose and, ultimately, to the throat for swallowing. A blockage along any point of this tear duct system is known as a blocked tear duct or dacryostenosis. The symptoms include a pus-like discharge. Some babies are born with a blockage. A range of conditions and events, including infection and trauma to the nose, can cause acquired dacryostenosis.

Symptoms

The Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:

• Watering Eye.
• Tears running down the face.
• Discharge of pus.
• Crusted mucus along the Eyelashes.
• Increased susceptibility to eye infections.

Diagnosis Methods

A blocked tear duct is diagnosed using a number of tests, including:

• Physical examination - including medical history.
• Ophthalmic examination - to check for other possible causes.
• Particular tests to check for tear drainage - for example, a special fluid is flushed into the affected tear duct opening. A diagnosis of blocked tear duct is made if the patient can't taste the fluid in their throat.
• X-ray or CT scan - taken of the tear duct area.

Treatment Options

Treatment for a blocked tear duct depends on the cause, but may include:

• Observation with no intervention. A baby's tear ducts may spontaneously unblock before the age of nine months.
• If the baby's tear duct doesn't unblock by itself, it may be necessary to professionally 'pop' the membrane. This is a small operation that requires a general anaesthetic.
• Deep massage of the nasolacrimal duct for babies may be ordered, but it is difficult to do well.
• Antibiotics, to treat any bacterial infections.
• Surgery, to make a drainage hole from the tear duct system into the nose. This can also be done by laser.
• Surgical drainage of abscess, if necessary.
• The frequent application of hot compresses.
• Pain-killing medications.