If your baby is experiencing blocked tear ducts, you should take them to your general practitioner or a child health nurse to determine if your child needs antibiotics or a procedure. In adults, antibiotics may work in some circumstances, but in most cases, blocked tear ducts are due to thickening of the lining of the tear duct with age, and tear duct surgery is the most effective solution for long-term relief. Adults who haven’t improved with other treatments may need dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery to relieve and restore tear drainage.
What Causes Blocked Tear Ducts?
Blocked tear ducts prevent tears from draining normally and cause symptoms such as watering eyes, discharge of pus, crusting on the eyelids, eye infections, blurred vision, recurring eye infections, and redness. They can happen at any age and require prompt treatment to prevent painful and uncomfortable symptoms. Age-related changes, congenital blockages, injuries, inflammation, tumors, and certain medications and treatments can cause blocked tear ducts.
How Can I Unclog My Blocked Tear Ducts?
If you or your child is experiencing blocked tear ducts, you should visit your physician as soon as possible to prevent symptoms from developing. They may recommend antibiotics, massages, tear duct probing, or balloon catheter dilation. If patients don’t improve from other treatments, they may need DCR surgery to open the tear drainage system and make a new connection to the nose. This surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation.
Blocked Tear Ducts at EyelidPros
Are you suffering from blocked tear ducts in Flint, MI, Novi, MI, Southgate, MI, or the surrounding areas? If so, the board-certified physicians and surgeons at EyelidPros can help you. Our physicians are recognized for award-winning ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. To learn more about us or to schedule a consultation, contact us online today or call one of our Michigan locations, and a staff member will reply shortly.
