Clogged tear ducts, also known as dacryostenosis, is a condition in which the system that drains tears is blocked, causing the eyes to become irritated and watery.

"We produce tears all the time, and they need to drain through a channel that begins in the eye and opens inside the nose, so the obstruction can be anywhere in this channel," explains ophthalmologist Pedro Carricondo, a specialist with the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology.

This condition can affect babies from birth, due to malformation of the tear duct, but usually resolves by one year of age, without the need for surgical intervention.

In addition, dacryostenosis can also develop at any age, but is more common in cases of infection or blows to the nose, people undergoing cancer treatment, and the elderly.

Read more: How to find out if your baby has vision problems

What are the causes of a clogged tear duct?

The main causes of clogged tear ducts are:

• People being treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy;
• Aging ;
• Chronic infections or inflammations in the eyes or nasal passages;
• Congenital blockage of the tear duct, due to malformation of the tear duct or abnormal facial development;
• Injury or trauma to the face.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a clogged tear duct are:

• Excessive tearing;
• Irritation and redness in the affected eye;
• Blurred vision;
• Swelling in the inner corner
• Presence of secretion in the eye;
• Eye infection.

The condition requires evaluation by an ophthalmologist for the best treatment to be indicated, since a clogged tear duct can cause ocular complications such as pre-disposition to infections in the region. This happens because, according to Carricondo, the liquid trapped inside the duct can cause the development of bacteria.

Clogged x inflamed tear duct

According to the doctor, the main symptom of a clogged tear duct is tearing, "Some patients may feel irritation in the eyes with secretion and even simulate conjunctivitis, but in more serious cases, it is possible to have pain and swelling in the corner of the eye," she adds.

But the blocked tear duct may or may not be inflamed. Inflammation presents signs such as local pain and redness.

How to treat it?

The appropriate treatment for a clogged tear duct may vary depending on the underlying cause. Thus, in infants, the indicated treatment initially consists of massage of the tear duct. According to specialist Pedro Carricondo, if the massage of the region is not efficient, a process called intubation is recommended, which consists of passing a thin tube through the tear duct to unblock thethe passage of tears and allow them to drain into the nose.

"There is also the possibility of surgery, called dacryocystorhinostomy, in order to connect the tear duct with the inner part of the nose, that is, a new route is taken for the tears to drain," he adds.

What to do when the tear duct is clogged?

Since the obstruction can occur for different reasons and present various symptoms, it is necessary to see an ophthalmologist for a more detailed evaluation and, thus, to know the most appropriate treatment.

Cristiane Okazaki, specialist in ocular plastic surgery at H.Olhos, alerts that there is no homemade method to unblock the lacrimal duct. In the case of congenital obstruction in babies, massage can be a treatment, but it must be done only after medical evaluation and orientation.

In the case of adults, treatment may involve antibiotics and eye drops, or even surgery, depending on the severity and cause of the blockage.

"In babies up to one year old, we can try clinical treatment and in many cases there is resolution, but after that age, the treatment in most cases becomes surgical and must be individualized," adds the doctor.

Source: Dr. Pedro Carricondo, ophthalmologist and specialist at the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology .

Dr. Cristiane Okazaki, eye plastic specialist at H.Olhos.