Tear Duct, Blocked: Brief Version

What is a blocked tear duct?

Tears from the eye normally drain into the nose through the tear duct. If this duct is blocked, the tears spill over on the cheeks, even when a baby is not crying. This happens in 10% of young babies. Most of the time, only one tear duct is blocked.

Your baby may have a blocked tear duct when:

• One eye is always watery.
• Tears run down the face even when your baby does not cry.
• When your baby cries, the nostril on the blocked side is still dry.
• The eye on the blocked side is not red, and the eyelid is not swollen.
• The problem usually starts before your child is 1 month old.

How can I take care of my child?

Most of the time, the tear duct will open by itself. Your doctor may tell you to massage the tear duct. To do this:

• Wash your hands.
• Start at the inner corner of the eye.
• Gently rub the inner, lower corner of your baby's eye with a clean cotton swab.
• Gently press upward. A small amount of clear fluid should come out.

Your doctor can show you how to do this:

Call your doctor right away if:

• Your baby's eyelid is very red or swollen.
• There is a red lump at the inner lower corner of the eyelid.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• There is yellow discharge from your baby's eye.
• Your child is more than 1 year old.
• You have other questions or concerns.