Tear Duct - Blocked

Caused by blockage of the lacrimal duct. This duct carries tears from the corner of the eye to the nose.
A watery eye may not be noticed until 1 or 2 months old. Reason: that's when the eye starts making more tears.

¿Cuándo debo llamar?

Eyelid is very red or very swollen
Clear part in the middle of the eye (cornea) is cloudy
Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: Do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Pus in the eye or eyelids stuck together means the eye is infected.
This is common with blocked tear ducts. It should clear up in a few days with antibiotic eyedrops.
For pus in the eye, call your child's doctor for a prescription.
In the meantime, here is some advice that should help.

Remove the dried and liquid pus from the eyelids with warm water and wet cotton balls. Throw away after use.
Do this each time you see pus.
Also, clean the eyes before you use the prescription eyedrops. The eyedrops will not work unless the pus is removed first.

Some doctors suggest compression (massage) of the lacrimal sac where tears collect. Other doctors do not. Compression is not required. The tear duct will open without any compression. If compression is advised, do it this way:
The lacrimal sac is in the inner corner of the lower eyelid. This sac can be compressed to empty it of old fluids.
A cotton swab works much better than a finger. Reason: the swab is smaller.
Start at the inner corner of the eye and press upward. Be very gentle.
Do no more than once a day.
Fluid and mucus may come out of the lacrimal sac.

Over 90% of tear ducts open up on their own.
This should happen by the time the child is 12 months of age.
If your child is over 12 months old, talk to your child's doctor. Your child may need to see an eye doctor.