Blocked tear ducts are a common infant ailment, affecting almost 20 percent of all newborns, according to KidsHealth.org. Known as dacryostenosis, the condition is usually not noticeable during the first few weeks of a child's life. Knowing what to look for and how to manage it, however, will make infection less likely and minimize the likelihood of surgical intervention.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a blocked or obstructed tear duct usually appear by three months of age, according to KidsHealth. Signs include excessive tearing without crying, yellow or white sticky discharge in the corner of the eye, and crusty eyelashes after sleeping. Some children also have a blue bump next to the inside corner of the eye.
Causes
The lacrimal gland produces tears to lubricate and clean the eyes. The tears then get squeezed out of the eye via nasolacrimal ducts located in the inner corner of the eye. Prior to delivery, most babies lose the thin membrane that covers these ducts. A blocked duct occurs when a baby is born with the membrane intact. According to Children's Hospital Boston, the membrane usually opens by the child's first birthday.
Home Remedies
Over 95 percent of blocked ducts resolve themselves with little treatment, according to the Children's Hospital Boston website. Parents should take care to keep the eye clean of mucus, and massage the duct to help open the membrane. The Ask Dr. Sears website recommends massaging in an upward direction toward the nose six times daily. Doctors will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment if the duct becomes infected.
Surgical Options
Surgery becomes an option, according to Kids Health, when excessive tearing has not subsided after six or eight months or if repeated infections occur. Most doctors insert a thin metal wire into the duct to open the membrane. This outpatient procedure takes approximately 10 minutes and occurs while the child is under general anesthesia. Some doctors operate by inserting a balloon containing sterile solution into the duct and inflating it until the membrane opens.
Mistaken Diagnosis
Eye discharge during the first few months of a child's life is usually due to blocked tear ducts. There are other conditions, however, that mimic its symptoms. Some newborns develop eye infections when passing through the birth canal, according to BabyCenter.com, or have a reaction to antibiotic eye drops administered at birth that can cause eye discharge. Older babies with red-rimmed eyes together with discharge may in fact have conjunctivitis or "pink eye." Parents in doubt should get their infant evaluated by a medical professional to determine what treatment, if any, is necessary.
