From birth, our tears come from lacrimal glands above our eyes, within the upper eyelids, on the area farthest from the nose. The tears drain from the tear duct into the nose. In some instances, the tear duct can develop blockages that prevent tears to drain naturally. Babies may have a blocked tear duct that gets better on its own or sometimes gets better through treatment.
What Is Normal Tear Production and What Causes a Blocked Tear Duct?
In order to fight dirt and debris, our eyes cover themselves with a three-layer moisture barrier called the tear film. The first main middle watery layer comes from the lacrimal gland which is located in the upper area of the eyes.
When we blink, the eyelids will spread the tears down to the rest of the surface. The second thin oily (lipid) layer comes from the meibomian glands which are located within the eyelids. The last layer is the thin innermost mucous layer which provides the cornea with nourishment and sticks the tear to the surface of the eyes.
Normally, tears produced by the eyes later drain through the canaliculi (small channels) into a tear sac. From here, it flows through a channel called the tear duct (or nasolacrimal duct) and into the nose. When a person’s tears can’t be drained thoroughly, they might develop a blocked tear duct.
Although it can happen at any age, blocked tear ducts happen most often in newborns and toddlers.
Symptoms of a Blocked Tear Duct in Children
The following are the symptoms of the condition in children. However, tear duct blockage can occur in one eye too.
- The eye becomes watery or tears heavily.
- Yellowish or white pus discharge in the corner of the eye. The eyelid can be stuck together.
- Crusted mucus along the eyelashes.
- Mild redness and swelling around the eye or nose.
Parents, if your child has a complete blockage, they will experience these symptoms. However, in some conditions, you may notice the symptoms when they have a nose blockage or they are producing extra tears. This condition is called partial blockage.
Sometimes, your child may have a fever or their nasolacrimal sac turns red, swollen, and painful. This condition is called dacryocystitis. Your child may develop this condition occasionally when the nasolacrimal sac is infected due to the tear duct blockage.
Blocked Tear Duct Causes
According to health experts, the most common reason for the condition in children is a tear duct system that is only developed partially. The following are the other causes of a blocked tear duct.
- Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy medication and radiation treatment may have side effects like a blocked tear duct.
- Congenital blockage: Some babies are born with a blocked tear duct. It might be due to duct abnormality or an under-developed drainage system.
- Inflammation or infection: Your baby may have a blocked tear duct due to chronic infection or inflammation in your child’s eye, tear drainage system or in the nose.
- Aging: As your child ages, the tiny openings that drains tears may narrow, causing a blockage.
