Blocked Tear Ducts In Children

MY NEWBORN IS ALWAYS TEARING

My newborn is always tearing. This is a common condition in infants called congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. It means your child’s tear duct is blocked. In many cases blocked tear ducts in children self resolves within a few months. If the symptoms are mild your pediatrician will just keep a close watch on it.

However, if significant discharge is present, or becomes milky an infect may be present.  Other signs of problems is a swelling, redness, pain and/or fever.  At this point the next step is an appointment with Dr. Affleck.

MY NEWBORN IS ALWAY TEARING

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

CONSERVATIVE MEASURES

  THE TEARING CAME BACK

 SURGICAL TREATMENT: Clinic vs. OR Probing

CONSERVATIVE MEASURES

Dr. Affleck believes in using less invasive methods of treatment for eye conditions before resorting to surgery, if possible. Dr. Affleck will first recommend and demonstrate messaging of the tear duct (lacrimal sac).  It is important to use proper techniques when massaging. If incorrectly performed the massage will not force the fluid through the duct or open the tear canal.  Dr. Affleck will ask you to massage your child’s sac for several weeks.  He may also recommend eye drop medication.

Lets Talk Details About Blocked Tear Ducts In Children

If you look in the corners of the upper and lower eyelids you will see a small dot or hole in each lid.  These hole are called your puncta.  Your tears drain down these small opening and through a small canal to your nose. This is why when you cry you get a runny nose too.  However, when this drainage system is blocked, tears have no where to go, they will overflow onto the eyelashes, eyelids and down the check.  This may cause the eyelids to redden, swell, and even stick together.

THE TEARING CAME BACK!

Massage and/or topical antibiotic may be a temporary solution, in this case the tearing and other symptoms will return.  Dr. Affleck may suggest at this point surgical treatment. The surgical treatment is probing the tear duct.

The probing should remove the obstruction and re-establish. Probing has a  high success rate up to the age of 60 months (1).  However, standard of care is to undergone the probing procedure before the child is over the age of  24 months.

Each child’s situation is different. That is why is all starts with an exam with Dr. Affleck.  Call us today 208-523-6868

In children less than 12 months old, a probing can be done safely in the office.  The child is wrapped in a papoose board (similar to being wrapped in a receiving blanket).  An eyedrop to numb the eye is instilled, and a probe is gently pushed through the duct, overcoming any obstructions.  The probing happens quickly, about as fast as an immunization shot.  If a child is over 12 months, this procedure is performed under anesthesia in a surgical facility.

If a probing is unsuccessful at restoring flow through the duct(s), a tube can be placed in the tear duct to hold the system open.  This is done under anesthesia.  The tube is left in place for 6-8 weeks, and then removed easily in the office.

(1) Success Rates of Nasolacrimal Duct Probing in Children Under 11 Years Old by Keyvan Koushan; Sourabh Arora; John T. Harvey © 2011, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.