Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCommon CausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Common Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Tear ducts drain tears from the eye through small tubes (callednasolacrimalducts) that extend from the eye into the nose. When the ducts are infected or blocked, they can become swollen.
A swollen tear duct can usually be managed with self-care measures such as warm compresses and massage. Sometimes, however, a swollen tear duct may require antibiotics or surgery in order to heal.
This article explains common causes of swollen tear ducts and how they are diagnosed and treated.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Symptoms of a Swollen Tear Duct
Tear ducts are part of the tear drainage system. They drain tears through the nasal bone and into the back of the nose. When tear ducts are blocked, tears can’t drain normally. As a result, the eyes can become watery, irritated, or repeatedly infected.
Symptoms of swollen tear ducts include:
The tears may be thicker than normal. The eyes can also become dry and crusty.
The symptoms of a blocked tear duct may get worse after a cold or sinus infection. They may also become more noticeable after exposure to the cold, wind, or sunlight.
Common Causes of Swollen Tear Ducts
Infection
Dacryocystitis, or an infected tear duct, causes excessive tearing, redness, and/oryellow discharge. This infection is unrelated to allergies, a cold, or other underlying conditions.
An infection in adults can be due to the natural growth pattern of the bones that surround the eyes and nose. Sometimes there is abnormal development of the skull and face. Either of these can result in a narrowing of the tear ducts, which allows bacteria to collect and grow.
In severe cases, an infection in the tear duct can spread to the eyelid.
Blocked Tear Duct
Causes of a blocked tear duct include:
Approximately 20% of newborns are born with a blocked tear duct, but the condition usually goes away on its own within four to six months.
Other Causes
Some medical treatments, including radioactive iodine for thyroid conditions and certain chemotherapy drugs, can also cause swollen tear ducts.Radiation to your face or head may increase the risk of developing a blocked tear duct.
Excessive use of certain eye drops for treating glaucoma can also lead to blocked ducts.
How is a Swollen Tear Duct Diagnosed?
An ophthalmologist can diagnose a swollen tear duct based on a physical examination and diagnostic tests. You will be asked to provide a full medical history. Your provider will examine the eye and surrounding areas. They might also perform or order certain tests, such as:
How is a Swollen Tear Duct Treated?
Self-Care
The easiest method for treating a swollen tear duct is through massage and warm compresses. To unblock your tear ducts at home, you will need warm water (not hot) and a clean washcloth:
This should cause a clear fluid to drain out of the corners of your eyes. The pressure normally causes tears to flow through the puncta, thus preventing infection.This does not always work but is the best option when waiting for a medical appointment.
Antibiotics
If massage and warm compresses do not clear the tear duct, then a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic eye drops orointment. Antibiotics won’t open the blockage, but they can treat an infection and clear up any discharge coming from the eye. Chronic infections, however, can be difficult to cure without surgery to expand the tear duct’s drainage channel.
In severe cases, people with a tear duct infection may need intravenous antibiotics and observation in the hospital.
Do not apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment not specifically formulated for use in the eye to the eye or area around it. These medications are not made for use in the eye and could have irritating ingredients.
Dilation, Probing, and Irrigation
For adults who have a partially blocked duct or a partial narrowing of the puncta, this technique may be used. An instrument is used to enlarge the punctal openings, and a narrow probe is guided through the puncta, into the tear drainage system, and then through the nasal opening before being removed. The tear drainage system is flushed with a saline solution to clear out any residual blockage.
Balloon Catheter Dilation
Stenting
In this procedure, also called tear duct intubation, tiny tubes are used to open narrow passageways within the tear drainage system. Your doctor guides a metal mesh tube (a stent) through one or both puncta in the corner of your eye, through the tear drainage system, and into the back of the nose. A tiny loop of tubing is left in the tear duct. While it may be visible, it’s usually not bothersome.
These tubes are generally left in for three to four months and then removed. This approach also requires general anesthesia.
Surgery
Surgery may be required if other treatment options are not working. This surgery is calleddacryocystorhinostomy(DCR) surgery, also referred to as lacrimal sac surgery.
This surgery is performed on adults only when no other treatments have worked. It is rarely performed on children. The surgery can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. After the procedure, you may be giventopical steroids, nasal medications, and pain medication.
It is important to discuss with the surgeon which technique they will be using, as recovery times and post-operative care differ. Two surgical techniques include:
As with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks and complications. Your surgeon will discuss these with you beforehand. Possible complications include:
At your first appointment after the surgery, any stitches will be removed. Oral medications and topical steroids will be discontinued, but you’ll likely take nasal medications for two more weeks. You may have follow-up appointments at six weeks, 12 weeks, and finally at six months.
It’s important to know when to reach out to anophthalmologistif you are having symptoms of a swollen tear duct. You should notify a healthcare provider if:
Summary
Tear ducts allow tears to drain from the eye into the nose. A swollen tear duct can result from an infection or a blockage.
Symptoms of a swollen tear duct include excessive tearing, eye discharge, chronic nasal infections, or injury. Self-care measures such as warm compresses are often effective for unblocking the duct. If they don’t work, antibiotics or minor surgery may be necessary.
A swollen tear duct can be uncomfortable but is manageable when treated early. Call a healthcare provider right away if your eyes are so watery that it interferes with your daily activities, you have a fever along with a swollen duct, or you are having vision problems.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Blocked tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?Bausch and Lomb.Blocked or infected tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct causes.Massachusetts Eye and Ear.Could your watery eyes be a sign of a blocked tear duct?American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus.Nasolacrimal duct obstruction.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct treatment.Advanced Eye Centers.Lacrimal drainage surgery.Dean Mcgee Eye Institute.Lacrimal surgery for tear ducts.Javed Ali M, Naik MN, Honavar SG.External dacryocystorhinostomy: Tips and tricks.Oman Journal of Ophthalmology.2012;5,3:191-5. doi:10.4103/0974-620X.106106
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Blocked tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?Bausch and Lomb.Blocked or infected tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct causes.Massachusetts Eye and Ear.Could your watery eyes be a sign of a blocked tear duct?American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus.Nasolacrimal duct obstruction.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct treatment.Advanced Eye Centers.Lacrimal drainage surgery.Dean Mcgee Eye Institute.Lacrimal surgery for tear ducts.Javed Ali M, Naik MN, Honavar SG.External dacryocystorhinostomy: Tips and tricks.Oman Journal of Ophthalmology.2012;5,3:191-5. doi:10.4103/0974-620X.106106
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Blocked tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?Bausch and Lomb.Blocked or infected tear duct.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct causes.Massachusetts Eye and Ear.Could your watery eyes be a sign of a blocked tear duct?American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus.Nasolacrimal duct obstruction.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct treatment.Advanced Eye Centers.Lacrimal drainage surgery.Dean Mcgee Eye Institute.Lacrimal surgery for tear ducts.Javed Ali M, Naik MN, Honavar SG.External dacryocystorhinostomy: Tips and tricks.Oman Journal of Ophthalmology.2012;5,3:191-5. doi:10.4103/0974-620X.106106
MedlinePlus.Blocked tear duct.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a blocked tear duct?
Bausch and Lomb.Blocked or infected tear duct.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct causes.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear.Could your watery eyes be a sign of a blocked tear duct?
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus.Nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct treatment.
Advanced Eye Centers.Lacrimal drainage surgery.
Dean Mcgee Eye Institute.Lacrimal surgery for tear ducts.
Javed Ali M, Naik MN, Honavar SG.External dacryocystorhinostomy: Tips and tricks.Oman Journal of Ophthalmology.2012;5,3:191-5. doi:10.4103/0974-620X.106106
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