Red, swollen eyes are not an uncommon sight in children. Pink eye and other eye infections tend to run rampant through elementary schools during the winter. When tear ducts, the channels that allow your tears to drain through your nose, become red, swollen and bothersome, they may interfere with your child's sight.
Causes
Red, swollen tear ducts that signify a blockage are not uncommon in children; according to MayoClinic.com, up to 20 percent of infants experience blocked tear ducts. Blockages can be congenital -- you are born with the condition -- or inflammation can occur due to an infection, which clogs the tear ducts. Congenial tear duct blockage can be the result of less common facial features associated with Down syndrome, or an immature drainage system. Adults and older children may develop tear duct issues following a facial injury.
Symptoms
Watering of the eyes, especially when your baby or young child is not crying is another symptom to look for in addition to the redness and swelling around the tear ducts. Blurred vision and eye discharge is also common in cases of blocked tear ducts.
Treatment
Treatment varies according to the cause for your child's red, inflamed tear ducts. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments prescribed to clear up conjunctivitis or other eye infections may resolve the blockage without invasive treatment. A young infant's tear ducts may mature on their own as the baby grows. In some cases, surgery is required to manually unclog the drainage channels between the eye and nose.
Prevention
Non-congenital tear duct blockages can be prevented by keeping your child's hands and face clean, thus reducing the risk of infection. Encourage your child to keep his hands away from his face -- no eye-rubbing.
