Tear ducts sit in the corners of the eye, near the nose, and drain excess tears from the eyes. A blocked tear duct, which doctors call dacryostenosis, causes tears to roll down a person's cheeks. Some people experience recurring infections as well. A doctor will recommend a treatment based on the extent of the blockage and accompanying symptoms. Knowing the possible treatments may help a person determine the best method of treating their condition and symptoms.
Massage
Massaging the area near the tear duct may offer a relatively easy treatment, particularly for children. Since the blockage may occur in slightly different locations, the doctor will show the exact location for the massage and the proper way to work at the blockage. A person may need to massage the area up to three times daily to fully treat the blocked tear duct, according to Southwestern Medical Center.
Dilation and Irrigation
Adults and children alike may require a simple in-office procedure, called dilation and irrigation, to open the tear duct. The doctor places the tip of a thin instrument into the puncta, the drainage hole of the tear duct, and gently widens the opening. He then pushes a saline solution through the tear duct, and the pressure from the saline will often clear out the blockage. The tear duct drains down the back of the throat, so the patient may feel as if she has to swallow, or she may taste the saline during the procedure.
Surgery
People with severe scarring or blockages that fail to respond to other treatments may require surgical repair of the ducts. The surgeon may have run a balloon-like mechanism that pumps to inflate through the duct, widening narrow or blocked passages. Others may require placement of small tubes that the doctor will insert in the tear duct. These stay in for a few months, and may help reshape the tear duct. In some situations, a surgeon may have to reconstruct or repair a tear duct surgically. Certain conditions may require that the doctor create an entirely new duct system.
