Blocked Tear Duct

Hi, my daughter had the same problem when she was born it actually lasted until she was about 1 1/2 years old. The Dr. gave us the drops, and taught us the massaging technique. We did this everytime it would flare up. It finally just went away. She is 22 years old now and just fine. Do this and everything should be O.K. Good Luck!

My twins both had this and they both cleared up on their own before 10 months (but probably not until almost 10 months) I found warm washclothes helped when it was really "goopy". Hang in there... I bet it will self-correct!

Our son has had blocked tear ducts since birth as well. Our pediatrician said it can take up to 12 months before they open up. We have had our son adjusted by the chiropractor and some say that this may help, in our case it has not however I still feel good about having him adjusted. Our sons eyes do not however get red. Our pediatrician’s child had blocked tear ducts and they had the procedure planned at 13 months (or so if I’m remembering correctly) and the morning of the procedure, they opened up. I'm praying that our sons eyes will clear up on their own, I'm trying to be patient and not focusing too much on it. It is annoying because people always notice it and its tough to keep up with cleaning them all the time. Some days are better than ever. I do know that there are some pressure points that I've learned through infant massage that can help too. You can take the infant massage class at Rosemary Court on Friday's at 10. Deanine teaching the class and her number is ###-###-####. She's fantastic and is very knowledgeable and has two kids herself. Call her, she is certified in accupuncture and massage. She might have some great ideas for you to try, pass them along if something works I'd be interested. God Bless and keep us posted!

Hi, R.!

My daughter had the same issue in both eyes. We did endless massages, and heat applications, but it didn't really help us. They ended up doing a surgery when she was 1 year and 4 months (I guess you are supposed to do it before they are 1.5 because it becomes more difficult then with issue becoming firmer). The surgery was very quick = just a few minutes. We put drops in for a week after the surgery and that's pretty much it. If you are not seeing an eye doctor, I would recommend you get to Dr. Hess at All Children's - the wait time there is very long for an appointment and then for surgery, so you might want to get "in line" now.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi R., My son had the same problem at birth, Dr. gave me some drops and it cleared up. I hope the same for your child and will keep him in my prayers. XXFayeXX

My son is 11 1/2 months old. He was born with both tear ducts clogged. His ped said to just wait it out and see if they would clear up. he gave us drops and told us to massage the corners of both eyes. he said that sometimes that will help open them up. Well it never did. So my son just had the procedure less then a month ago. It was so easy. He was away from us for about 10 minutes and then it was over! I couldn't believe how quick it was! Now we can actually see his gorgeous big blue eyes without having all that gunk in them!!! So if your son has to have the procedure done, don't stress, it's so quick you won't even realize that he had surgery!

My daughter (about to turn 12 months) had the same problem since birth. It never got better and we tried everything. We finally had the procedure done and wished we had done it much much sooner. She hasn't had a problem since. They strapped her to a board and put a blunt metal object through the tear duct. Yes, hard to watch and she did scream but was fine after the 60 second procedure. I would highly recommnend getting the procedure done. It is quick, easy and causes relatively little trauma. And not having "goop-eye" anymore is well worth it.

My daughter had a blocked tear duct when she was born. We got the drops, which cleared it up. Also, (what I think helped the most) the doctor told us to massage the area between her nose and eye using our pinky finger and a warm washcloth. I did this a couple times a day for 2 or 3 weeks and we never had a problem again.

Just wait. My son's tear duct didn't open up until 2 weeks after his 1st birthday. The ped told me that if it wasn't cleared up by 9 months that he should see a specialist. We decided to wait and keep working that eye. At his 12 month appt, it was a little better but still clogged. We made an appointment with the spclst but it wasn't until 2 months out. Then, magically, it was fine, so we cancelled the appt.

Every time he was in the high chair we took a warm wash cloth and gently massaged his lower lid from the OUTER eye area toward the tear duct. The area below the "puffy" part of the eye is where you want to concentrate working in an Upward and Inward motion. No need to put your baby through a surgery that could damage his tear duct (I've read good and bad stories about the procedure). This seemed to me like something that would clear up on its own, and it did.

Good luck.

My son had this when he was born too. We had to have it cleared at about 6 months, but I'm not sure if I would do it again. It is painful for them and painful for us to watch! They basically stick a needle in the tear duct with no anestesia or anything. Next time I would definitely give it more time to clear on it's own. 10 months sounds much more reasonable than 6 months. Good luck!

My 9 month old son had the same eye problem. It would worry me all the time, his was very goopy. The doctor said to massage the tearducts and sort of pump it. We were told to wait until after 12 months and then a procedure may be needed. Luckily we waited. Another doctor said it could be done after 6 months but by 7months or so it cleared up. To clean the area, I used cotton balls and the solution you use for cleaning contact lenses. One day I pumped the tear duct and kept cleaning it until it stopped. Thank goodness nothing else was needed. Good luck with your baby and I would let nature take its course.

I was born with blocked tear ducts, they cleared on their own. Just keep a record of this for when your kids grow up! I did not know this and when I was 33 it happened again. Very painful, didn't know what was up. My Mom didn't live close and we only talked about once a week at that time, I went to the Dr who sent me to E.N.T. specialist who sent me to an Eye Surgeon. He "flushed" the tear duct with a solution (probably saline) thru a needle inserted in the duct. It cleared it but he said if it came back I would need surgery. After coming back from his office I spoke with my Mom who informed me I was born with this. The Dr said if he knew that he would have done the surgery, whatever they do in that, because it will come back again. He was right, it does, for me anyhow. I highly recommend massage and warm compress, it helps alot!
I think it is rare for this to come back as an adult, but keep records for you kids and give it to them when they move out or discuss their medical history with them so they are aware.
Good Luck
J.

I'm the proud grandmother of a 6 month old boy and he too has one eye that refuses to clear up. My daughter's pedi said the same thing... if it's not cleared up by 10 months then they will consider doing the proceedure. It seems it really flares up now that he is teething or has a cold.

Yes - I had this issue with my son and it did clear up. I was given drops several times, but the most important thing they told me to do was message the tear duct with warm water on a cotton ball as many times a day as possible. I would get the water as hot as I knew he could handle it, squeaze most of the water out and rubb in circles on the tear duct. By about 11 months he grew out of it. I hear the procedure is not very comfortable and it doesn't always work the first time.

I would do this first before taking it the next step.

Good luck!

My second child had blocked tear ducts... and it was gross, but eventually at about 8 mos one cleared up. Since it corrected itself the doctor was willing to wait a bit longer on the other. I think it finally started draining at about 14 mos. My niece had to have hers unblocked. She is 13 now so I don't really remember the details, but I don't think it was all that traumatic.

L.

Hi R.,

My daughter had it untill she was almost a year, and we went through different stages that it would flare up. Fotuneately it did go away. I never got any drop, they just said warm cloths and massage the area daily. I was happy that eventually it went away, I hated seeing her eayes all watery and hers got crusted at times, I felt bad for her.

So hopefully it will clear up like it did for us, like the dr say...it takes time...

Hope it helps
C.

My daughter had this in one eye and it would come and go until she was almost 12mo old, then it cleared on its own and we have had no problem since. I would wait until he is at least 12mo old and then make a decision, as the majority of cases do heal by themselves. My pedi did tell us to massage the tear ducts, and also to put breastmilk in the eye, as one other mom mentioned. I think these helped a little b/c her eye was just a little "goopy", but not too bad. But for the most part I think the tear ducts will correct themselves with time. My pedi strongly discouraged the procedure unless absolutely necessary.

My daughter had blocked tear ducts. My doctor showed me how to run my finger from the corner of her eye down her face to help move fluid. I did this daily and it seemed to help a lot when she was an infant. Until she was about 2 she was particularly susceptible to pink eye but other than that I'd say it's cleared up on it's own (she's 3 now).

If you are still breastfeeding you can drop some breatmilk in the eye and it will really help with it. Just one more of the many amazing qualities of our precious baby milk!

I have also heard that Dr's will tend to have them wait and see if it clears on it's own over time. Some kids do, others still need the treatment. Hang in there :-)

My first son had blocked tear ducts in both eyes. One eye cleared up early on but the other stayed blocked until he was around 14 months old. It had tapered off by that point though, and it would only tear and get goopy when he was sick. My ped had mentioned the procedure to clear it when he was around 11 months but we decided to wait it out. My second son also had the same issue in one eye but it cleared very early. Since your son is just 6 months, it may still clear on it's own.

Both of my boys had the blocked tear duct when they were born and they have both cleared up on their own without needing to do the procedure. There are still times that they may have a flare up if they are sick but we keep a bottle of the drops on hand and just use them if needed.