Dacryostenosis


This is the medical term for a blocked tear duct.  Tears protect the eye from infection and allow clear vision.  Tears constantly wash the front of the eye and then enter the inner corner of the eye and then pass down into the tear sac and out through the tear duct to the back of the nose. 

Many babies are born with a blocked tear duct in either one or both eyes.  Symptoms of this condition include excessive tearing, discharge and sticky eye.  There is also increased chance of infection.  The condition can often easily be cured by frequent massage of the side of the nose.  This increases fluid pressure and the tear duct is forced to open.  Within six months, most babies no longer have this condition. 

A blocked tear duct can be unblocked with a small probe.  This is a gentle procedure where a mild anaesthetic is given and then a thin metal probe is passed through the tear duct to open any obstruction.  Sterile saline is then irrigated through the duct into the nose to ensure that the path is opened.


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