Does your baby's eyes constantly tear? Let's talk about Blocked Tear Duct!

You may have noticed that your baby's eyes are just leaking tears, sometimes both eyes, and there are lumps in the corners of their eyes . You may be wondering why this is happening to your little one without even crying. Many parents are a little worried about this. But don't worry, this is a common condition that is seen in babies. Today, we will talk about what is Blocked Tear Duct, why it happens, and what you can do to treat it at home.

Why are these tears? What are tear ducts?

First, let's talk about what these tears are and how they work. Think of it like our eyes are like a valuable camera. This camera needs to be kept clean and moist at all times. That's what tears help with.

Under the eyelids, above the eyes , are small glands called lacrimal glands . They are like a urine factory, and they produce tears. These tears spread throughout the eye, moistening it and cleaning it by removing things like dust.

And then? These used tears need to be removed. That's what the tear duct system is for. Simply put, it works like the drainage system in our house.

1. There are two small holes (`puncta`) in the upper and lower eyelids at the inner corner of the eye .

2. Tears pass through these holes along small channels (`Canaliculi`),

3. The tears collect in a small sac called the `Lacrimal Sac`. This is located between the nose and the eye.

4. Finally, from this tear sac, the tears drain into the nose through another small duct (the `Nasolacrimal Duct`).

That's why we blow our noses when we cry. When we have too many tears, they go down this tube and into our nose. Do you understand?

So what is a blocked tear duct?

Now you understand how important the tear duct system is. A blocked tear duct is when there is a blockage or obstruction somewhere along the tear duct that I mentioned earlier. It's like a clogged water pipe. What happens then? The tears can't drain properly into the nose. So they start to drip out of the eye, or they get stuck in the eye .

This is very common in babies. About one in every 10 babies is born with this condition. Most often, this happens because a small membrane (`Membrane` or `Valve of Hasner`) at the end of the tube that carries tears to the nose (`Nasolacrimal Duct`) does not open properly. Usually, this membrane opens on its own at birth or a few days after birth. But in some babies, it takes a little longer.

The most important thing is that in most cases this does not cause pain to the baby, and it does not harm the baby's vision.

How do I know if my baby has this condition? (Symptoms)

There are several signs that you can look for yourself to see if your little one has a blocked tear duct:

• Watery eyes/Epiphora: Even when the baby is not crying, one or both eyes are constantly filled with tears, and tears run down the cheeks. This can be worse on cold days or in windy places.
• Sticky discharge : When you wake up in the morning, or during the day, you may notice a yellowish discharge in the corner of your eye . Sometimes, this discharge can cause your eyelid to stick together.
• Swelling or redness of the eyelid: Sometimes, you may notice a slight swelling or redness, especially in the area where the tear sac is located (at the base of the nose, at the inner corner of the eye ).
• Frequent eye rubbing: If your baby is constantly trying to rub their eyes with their hands, this could be a sign.

But remember, if the eye is very red, very swollen, and the baby has a fever , it could be an infection (`Dacryocystitis`). If that happens, you should see a doctor immediately.

What is Tear Duct Massage? How is it done?

Most of the time, a blocked tear duct will heal on its own within the baby's first year. However, to help with this healing process and to unblock the blocked duct, doctors recommend a simple procedure called a tear duct massage . It is sometimes called a `Crigler Massage`.

This is like applying a little pressure to a blocked drain. When we do this massage, we gently press on the lacrimal sac. The tears inside it push against the blocked membrane, helping it to open.

How to do a massage correctly?

This is a very simple thing, but it's important to know exactly how to do it. Your doctor or nurse will explain it to you clearly. Let me explain a little.

1. Cleanliness comes first!

• Before starting the massage, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Keep your baby's nails short, too, because we're doing this in a very delicate area.

2. Correct location:

• You will feel a small, dimpled area at the inner corner of your baby's eye , near the beginning of the nose (towards the nose). That is where the lacrimal sac is located.

3. How to massage:

• Use either your index finger or your pinky finger.
• Apply gentle pressure to the area above the tear sac I mentioned, placing your finger down, along the side of the nose . As if drawing a small line downward. Never press on the eye.
• Do this massage 2-3 times in a row. Think of this as `one session`.

4. How often should I do it?

• Doctors usually recommend doing this massage twice or three times a day (morning, afternoon, and night). You can do about 5-10 massages at a time.
• Your doctor will adjust these amounts to suit your baby.

5. How long does it take?

• This condition improves in many babies after a few months of doing this. Sometimes, you can even ask your baby to do it until he is about a year old.

Important:

• Don't press too hard. This should be done very gently. If you press too hard, it won't do any good to the baby.
• While massaging, a little mucus or tears may come out of your eyes. This is normal. Soak a clean cotton ball in water (boiled water is best) and gently wipe the eye from the inside out.
• Use separate cotton balls for each eye.

Remember, this massage is like medicine. You can only get good results if you do it exactly as the doctor says, for the exact number of times, and as prescribed.

What if massage alone doesn't help?

In most cases, about 90% of babies recover spontaneously with tear duct massage by the time they are one year old. However, in a very small number of babies, this condition may not improve.

If that's the case, that is, if your baby is still tearing, has frequent eye discharge, or has frequent eye infections after about a year, your doctor will tell you about other treatment options.

Here are some of them:

• Probing: This is a minor surgery. After the baby is anesthetized, an ophthalmologist inserts a very fine instrument (a probe) into the tear duct, opening the blocked area. This is a successful treatment.
• Stenting or Intubation: Sometimes, after probing, a small silicone tube is temporarily placed inside the tube to prevent it from becoming blocked again. This tube is removed after a few months.
• Balloon Dacryoplasty: In some cases, a thin balloon is inserted into the tube and inflated to open the blocked portion.
• Surgery (Dacryocystorhinostomy - DCR): This is rarely done in babies. It is done in very complicated cases. Here, a new passage is created from the tear sac to the nose.

But you don't need to worry about this treatment right away. The first thing that's important is to massage the tear ducts properly and follow the doctor's instructions.

When should I see a doctor?

Usually, a few months after the baby is born, when you see this tearing and crusting, you should go to the baby's clinic and tell the doctor . The doctor will examine the baby, confirm whether this is a blocked tear duct, and will teach you how to massage it.

However, if you see these things, see a doctor immediately:

• If the eye is dark red, very swollen, and the baby cries even when you hold it (pain).
• If the corner of the eye , where the tear sac is, becomes red and swollen, and yellow pus comes out of it.
• If the baby has a fever.
• If you feel like there is something wrong with your baby's vision .
• Even after months of massage, there is still no improvement.

These may be signs of an infection, and antibiotics may be needed.

Take-Home Message

So, if your baby 's eyes are also watering like this, and they are crusting over, it's usually nothing to worry about. It could be a blocked tear duct, which is common in babies.

• Tear Duct Massage is a very simple and effective treatment for this.
• It is very important to massage cleanly, gently, and exactly as the doctor prescribed .
• For most babies, this condition completely resolves by the time they are about a year old .
• If you have symptoms such as red, swollen eyes and fever, you should definitely see a doctor.
• If you have any doubts or questions about this, don't hesitate to ask your family doctor or pediatrician.

Wishing your baby a speedy recovery! I hope this information is helpful to you.

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