Definition
Lacrimal duct stenosis involves narrowing of a tear duct (lacrimal duct). This condition can occur in children and adults. This fact sheet will focus on lacrimal duct stenosis in children (babies).
Lacrimal Duct
Causes
In some babies, problems in normal development can cause lacrimal duct obstruction. A thin membrane may cover the opening of the duct into the nose.
Risk Factors
These factors increase your baby’s chance of developing lacrimal duct stenosis:
- Premature birth
- Abnormal development of the face or skull
Symptoms
If your baby has any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to lacrimal duct stenosis. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if your baby has any of these:
- Excessive tearing
- Recurrent red eye or eye irritation
- Tear duct infection ( dacryocystitis ) causing redness, warmth, swelling around the eye, and discharge with pus
- Cloudy or mucous-like discharge from the tear duct
- Crusting on the eyelid
- Bloody tears
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your baby’s symptoms and medical history. The doctor will do an exam. Your baby may need to see a doctor who specializes in eye conditions in children. The eye doctor may do a dye disappearance test. This test will help to confirm that there is a blockage in the tear duct.
Treatment
Talk with the doctor about the best treatment plan for your baby. In infants, this condition often heals by itself in the first year of life. It may be treated by massaging or opening up the blocked tear duct.
Treatment options include:
- Massage—The doctor may gently push on the area where the tear duct runs out of the eye, between the baby’s eye and nose. This helps to push tears through the duct.
- Probing—The doctor may pass a tiny probe into the duct to open it up. In some cases, the ducts may be dilated with a balloon or stented to keep them open.
- Surgery—In some cases, surgery may be needed to open up the duct. In one type of surgery, the doctor puts a tiny, flexible instrument into the tear duct to see what is causing the blockage. The doctor may then flush fluid through the instrument. A laser may be used to cut away the blockage.
Prevention
It is not possible to prevent this condition. To help reduce your baby’s chance of getting eye infections, keep your baby’s eyes clean and free of mucous.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: Christopher Cheyer, MD
- Review Date: 06/2012 -
- Update Date: 06/04/2012 -