Is it dangerous if the tear duct becomes blocked in a baby?

In medical language, blockage of the tear ducts is called nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This condition is often experienced by newborns, either in one or both eyes. So, what causes blocked tear ducts in babies and how is it treated?

Why can the tear ducts in babies become blocked?

Normally, tears play an important role in supporting a person's vision process. This clear liquid will keep the eye moist, supply oxygen to the eye, remove substances that are risky for eye irritation, to coat the surface of the eye.

The tears produced by the tear glands will later flow into the tear ducts. Unfortunately, sometimes the tissue layer (membrane) in the tear duct closes, blocking the flow of tears that are about to enter.

As a result, the tear ducts become blocked in the baby, which then keeps the tears pooling on the surface of the eye. The most common reason why the tear ducts in babies can become blocked is because the hole in the eyelid (punta) in the baby has not fully developed.

That is why part of the tear duct closes, as if to create a barrier for the entry of tears.

On the other hand, blocked tear ducts in babies can also be caused by:

• The upper or lower eyelid ducts are closed
• Eye infection
• The nasal bones are bent, thus blocking the tear ducts leading to the nasal cavity
• The tear duct is too narrow
• Nasal polyps
• The presence of a cyst or tumor
• Injury to the tear duct

Source: Very Well Health

What are the symptoms when the tear duct is blocked in a baby?

If your little one has blocked tear ducts, the following signs will usually appear:

• Tears continued to come from one or both eyes
• The eyelids are swollen and reddish in color, but the eyes are not red
• The eyelids look sticky and stick together
• Sometimes appear greenish yellow discharge or pus

In fact, this discharge is a combination of tears and bacteria. At first glance it looks like an infected eye, but this is not necessarily a sign of infection. Because everyone, including babies, has bacteria that live on the eyelids.

Therefore, when the tear ducts become blocked, bacteria cannot flow anywhere, and will remain on the eyelids. This is what sometimes triggers an infection when the baby's tear duct is blocked, especially if too much bacteria has accumulated on the eyelid.

Even so, you don't need to worry because blockage of the tear ducts in babies is actually not dangerous. However, if an infection occurs, immediately consult your ophthalmologist.

How to treat a blocked baby's tear duct?

There are 2 options for recovering blocked tear ducts in babies, namely:

Conservative method

Most cases of blockage of the tear ducts in babies usually resolve on their own without special treatment. This depends on the severity of the tear obstruction experienced by your little one.

Your doctor may recommend that you regularly massage your little one's tear bags slowly, to help clear up the blockage. If the baby is less than 1 year old and has an infection in his tear ducts, giving antibiotic eye drops and ointments can be an option.

Invasive method

Treatment that does not work with conservative methods can be continued with invasive methods. In this case, the doctor will perform surgery by inserting a medical device (probe) into the tear ducts.

The goal is of course to clear up the blockage that blocks the flow of tears. Not only that, the doctor can recommend stenting to keep the ducts open. Or by using a balloon catheter to widen the baby's tear ducts.