Blocked Tear Duct – Symptoms and Causes

Understanding Tear System Issues

Tear glands (lacrimal glands) sit above each eye. They make fluid that keeps your eyes moist. Every time you blink, tears spread across your eye surface. Extra tear fluid should drain through small channels called tear ducts into your nose.

When these ducts get blocked, tears can’t drain properly. This makes your eye watery and irritated.

If you have a blocked tear duct, several solutions exist:

• For babies: Most blockages clear up naturally during the first year of life without treatment.
• For adults: Treatment depends on what caused the blockage:
  • Massage techniques
  • Warm compresses
  • Antibiotics for infections
  • Surgical procedures for severe cases

The good news is that blocked tear ducts can almost always be fixed.

Signs of a Blocked Tear Duct

A blocked tear duct often causes too much tearing in the affected eye. You may notice redness in the white part of the eye or experience repeated eye infections similar to pink eye.

Many people feel pain and swelling near the inner corner of the eye. The eyelids might develop crusting, especially after sleeping.

You might see mucus or pus coming from the eye or eyelids. Vision can become blurry due to the excess moisture and discharge on the eye surface.

When to See a Doctor

If your eyes tear up for several days in a row or you get frequent eye infections, it’s time to visit your doctor. A blocked tear duct sometimes happens when a tumor presses on your tear drainage system.

Finding a tumor early gives you better treatment options. Don’t ignore ongoing tearing or repeated infections, as they might signal a more serious problem.

Why Tear Ducts Get Blocked

Tears play an important role in eye health. They start in the lacrimal glands, which sit above each eye inside the upper eyelids. When you produce tears, they flow across your eye’s surface.

After washing over your eye, tears drain into tiny holes called puncta in the corners of your eyelids.

From there, tears travel through small tubes called canaliculi that connect to the lacrimal sac, a small pouch on the side of your nose.

Tears then move down through the nasolacrimal duct, which empties into your nose. This is why your nose often runs when you cry. Once tears reach your nose, your body absorbs them back into your system.

A blockage anywhere in this pathway can cause tears to back up, leading to watery eyes and possible infections.

Blocked tear ducts can happen to anyone at any age for several reasons:

In Babies:

• Many infants are born with blocked ducts
• Often caused by a thin membrane covering the duct opening
• Usually resolves on its own by their first birthday

In Adults:

• Age-related narrowing of the puncta
• Injuries to the face
• Infections or inflammation of the eyes or nose
• Small particles getting stuck in the ducts

Other Possible Causes:

• Tumors near the drainage system
• Long-term use of certain glaucoma medications
• Cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation

When tears can’t drain properly, they build up and spill over the eyelids. This creates watery eyes and increases the risk of eye infections since tears help wash away germs.

Risk Factors

Several things can make you more likely to get a blocked tear duct:

• Age: As people get older, their tear ducts can naturally narrow or become blocked.
• Ongoing eye inflammation: Regular eye irritation or redness increases your chances of developing blockages.
• Past surgeries: Previous operations on the eyes, eyelids, nose, or sinuses may create scar tissue that blocks tear drainage.
• Glaucoma medications: Using eye drops for glaucoma treatment can raise your risk of tear duct problems.
• Cancer treatments: People who have had radiation therapy to the head or face, or certain chemotherapy drugs, face higher risk of tear duct blockages.

Complications

When tear ducts become blocked, tears can’t drain properly. These trapped tears create a stagnant environment where harmful microorganisms thrive.

This leads to frequent eye infections as bacteria, viruses, and fungi multiply in the trapped fluid. You may experience recurring inflammation in different parts of your tear drainage system.

The conjunctiva—the clear membrane covering your eye—is especially vulnerable to infection when tear ducts are blocked. This can cause redness, irritation, and discomfort.

Without treatment, these complications can persist and potentially worsen over time.

Prevention

Lowering your risk of developing a blocked tear duct involves taking care of your eyes properly. Here are important steps to follow:

Protect your eyes from infection:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes unnecessarily
• Replace eye makeup regularly. This is especially important for mascara and eyeliner
• Never share eye cosmetics with others

Proper contact lens care is essential if you wear them. Follow the cleaning instructions from both the manufacturer and your eye doctor.