TEAR DUCT, BLOCKED

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Symptom Definition

Blocked tear duct previously diagnosed by a physician
A continuously watery eye (excessive tearing)
Tears fill the eye and occasionally run down the face, even without crying
Present at birth but onset of excessive tearing may be delayed until 1 or 2 months old.
Both sides are blocked in 30% of children
The eye is not red and the eyelid is not swollen (unless the soggy tissues become infected)

Causes

Caused by blockage of the channel (lacrimal duct) that normally carries tears from the eye to the nose. Present at birth but onset of excessive tearing can be delayed until 1 or 2 months old.

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Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

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