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The excess tears are drained from the conjunctival sac to the nasal vestibule. This is why when we cry, our noses also run out. In some infants, the tear drainage system becomes clogged, leading to a so-called wet eye. The eye tear drainage system consists of the lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal canal.
Tear duct obstruction – what is it?
An obstruction of the tear duct is a condition that occurs in babies. It is characterized by an obstruction of the tear drainage system (normally, when we cry, we also have a runny nose), while the obstruction causes the tears to accumulate on the surface of the eye instead of flowing into the nose. The first symptoms of this disease appear already in the first month of a child’s life. This is a problem that should always be consulted with your doctor, as the lagging of tears can lead to bacterial infections. Then the infected tears turn into pus and the eyelids stick together with pulling discharge. We may suspect obstruction of the tear ducts when the child has excessive tearing and there is discharge on the eyelid margins.
Note: Tears are very important, for example in moisturizing the eye around the clock. If there were no tears, there would be serious eye damage.
Construction of the tear duct
The eye tear drainage system consists of the lacrimal sac – located in the medial corner of the eye, and the nasolacrimal duct that drains the tears accumulated in the sac into the nasal vestibule. The nasolacrimal duct fully develops by the end of fetal life. However, in some babies it is still not permeable after birth. This results in a disturbed outflow of tears from the eye, which is manifested by increased lacrimation (most often one-sided) and the accumulation of mucopurulent discharge in the corner of the eye. These ailments worsen during infections and after walks in the cold and wind.
Causes of obstruction of the tear duct
Among the causes of obstruction of the tear duct, we can distinguish:
- injuries and wounds in the area of the face: especially the lacrimal ducts or the surrounding bone structures, may contribute to their obstruction;
- inflammation and infections of the tear ducts;
- the presence of tumors and cysts;
- Congenital blockage of the tear ducts: Many babies are born with blocked tear ducts, which may result from underdevelopment and a faulty structure. There is also talk of impaired development of the skull or face;
- age: may cause narrowing of the tear ducts, the older we are, the more the lumen of the tear ducts may narrow, and this poses a risk of their obstruction;
How is the obstruction of the tear duct manifested?
In people suffering from obstruction of the tear duct, the following appears:
- pain in the corners of the eyes,
- swelling of the eyes
- increased watery eyes,
- blurred vision (as if in fog),
- the occurrence of infections and inflammations,
- pus build-up and mucus secretion
- tears stained with blood.
Obstruction of the tear duct – diagnosis and treatment
In the event of the above symptoms, see a doctor who will assess whether it is related to the excessive amount of tears or problems in draining them. If, in addition to tearing, there are other symptoms such as discharge, swelling, pain, it is probably an obstruction. To confirm his suspicions, the doctor sometimes orders the cultivation of bacterial cultures on a sample of the patient’s secretion. Thanks to this test, it is possible to assess whether an infection has appeared. Additional diagnostic tests are imaging tests that help determine the type of obstruction of the tear duct. Once you have gathered all the information and test results you need, you can start the type of treatment you want. The procedure of probing the nasolacrimal canal is offered by the Eyemed ophthalmological center.
Usually, the problem disappears on its own in the first weeks of life, but if it does not, it is necessary to see an ophthalmologist. The selection of an appropriate treatment method depends on the obstruction of the tear ducts. First, less harmful methods are recommended, which thus allow to assess which method of treatment is best for a given patient.
Below we present the most commonly used methods of treating an obstruction of the tear ducts.
- In most infants, the ailment resolves on its own within the first year of life. You can start with a lacrimal sac massage, which helps most babies to open the ducts. If your baby has an infection, antibiotic ointments are used. However, there are patients who require specialized treatment. In this case, the canal is widened and flushed. If this method is unsuccessful, the doctor considers opening the tubules with a balloon catheter. Using the drops or ointment will help heal the infection but will not clear up the obstruction.
- Obstruction of the tear ducts in adults is most often a sign of narrowing or other ailments. At the beginning (similarly to infants) it is recommended to open the canal and rinse it. If less invasive treatment does not bring the expected benefits – surgery should be performed. The tear duct is then cleared using a stent and intubation, which involves inserting a tube into the tear duct. The nasolacrimal probing procedure is now available at Medonet Market. The offered procedure is performed in a specialized ophthalmology clinic.
Practical tips to help you care for your baby’s eyes
1. Remember to wash your purulent and watery eyes several times a day. To do this, use sterile gauze pads that are free of any germs. Ideally, the eye should be rinsed in one motion from the outer to the inner corner of the eye (never the other way around).
2. For rinsing the eyes, use saline in ampoules. Forget about any infusion of firefly or chamomile (unless recommended by an ophthalmologist). Try not to re-use the same ampoule as germs can accumulate there. Throw the old one out and open the new one.
3. Eye drops and ointments can be used only with the consent of the doctor, otherwise it may cause more harm to the child than good. If you already use the drops, carefully read the package leaflet and use them as indicated.
4. In a situation where the doctor ordered a tubular massage – do it! Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid surgery.
5. If tubular massage has not improved the child’s condition, consult an ophthalmologist for probing. Remember that your child is safe during the procedure and is safe.
Read also: Sea of tears
Text: SzB
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