Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
.

(336) 644-0802

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Insurance and Payments
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctor
    • Meet the Staff
  • Eyecare Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye and Vision Exams
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Computer Vision Treatment
    • Sports Vision
    • Sunglasses
  • Brands We Stock
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Appointment Request
  • Community Content
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • Tear Duct Obstruction

Tear Duct Obstruction

  • Created in Newsletters

Man rubbing eyes

What Is a Tear Duct Obstruction?

Have your eyes been unusually watery lately? You may have a tear duct obstruction, a condition that prevents tears from draining from your eyes. Although the condition is certainly annoying, it's usually fairly easy to treat.

What Happens When You Have an Obstruction

Tears keep your eyes moist, wash away debris, and help bend light rays as they enter your eyes. A healthy tear film prevents dry eye and keeps your eyes comfortable. Tears exit your eyes through tiny openings called puncta in the corners of your upper and lower eyelids. The tears then enter the nasolacrimal ducts and drain into your nose.

If there's a blockage in the duct, tears build up in your eyes. In addition to causing watery eyes, blockages can blur your vision and make your eyes irritated and itchy. In some cases, a tear duct obstruction can lead to a bacterial infection called dacryocystitis. Symptoms of the infection include yellow discharge from your eye, pain, crusty eyelids, swelling, redness, and fever.

Who Gets Tear Duct Blockages?

Tear ducts blockages are particularly common in infants and affect almost 20% of newborns, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). In adults, obstructions can be related to:

  • Sinus or Eye Infections. Scarring caused by chronic sinusitis may be the reason for your obstruction. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other eye infections may increase your risk of developing a tear duct blockage.
  • Polyps. These benign growths in your nose can block your tear ducts.
  • Injury. Did your eyes become watery after you broke your nose? Scar tissue in your nose may be to blame. Injuries to the eyes may also cause obstructions.
  • Surgery. Eye or sinus surgery could also cause scarring that may block your duct.
  • Chronic Eye Condition. People who have certain eye conditions, like uveitis or glaucoma, are more likely to be diagnosed with tear duct obstruction.
  • Abnormalities: Abnormalities in the way your face or skull developed might cause narrower tear ducts that are prone to obstructions.
  • Cancer Treatment. Some people develop tear duct obstructions after chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
  • Tumors. A tumor that grows near your eye could eventually block a duct.
  • Aging. As you get older, your punctum may become narrower and more prone to blockages.

How Is Tear Duct Obstruction Treated?

Treatments for an obstruction vary depending on the cause. Babies usually outgrow the problem in four to six months, according to the AAO. If your blockage is caused by a bacterial infection, your optometrist will prescribe antibiotics that will clear up the infection.

Your optometrist can perform a procedure to remove the blockage by flushing the tear duct with fluid. Dilating the duct with a balloon can also clear an obstruction. During a balloon catheter procedure, your eye doctor puts a tiny, uninflated balloon in the duct, then inflates it, which removes the blockage.

A stent offers another option if you have an obstruction. A small tube placed in the duct keeps it open. Stents usually only remain in your eye for a few months. Drainage may also improve if your doctor makes a few tiny cuts to widen your puncta.

Surgery might be needed if these treatments aren't helpful. During a surgical procedure, your doctor creates a new pathway for your tears.

Are you worried that your watery eye may be caused by tear duct obstruction? We'll examine your eyes and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. Contact our office to schedule your appointment.


Sources:


Medical News Today: What Is Dacryocystitis?

Cleveland Clinic: Blocked Tear Duct, 5/27/21

American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is a Blocked Tear Duct?, 3/1/15

American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus: Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you

  • Contact Us

    Call or send us an email today! Our staff will respond as soon as possible.
    Contact
  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
    Learn More
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
    Schedule Now

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

  • "I recently received a corneal abrasion and Dr. Sarah Barts has gone above and beyond to help relieve my pain and discomfort. I can't thank her enough other than to give her the word that she is an excellent eye doctor, and I will never see another. If you are in the Summerfield area looking for a new eye specialist I HIGHLY recommend this office. The staff is always super friendly, and always willing to answer any questions you have. I can honestly say, as long I live in the Triad Area I will not stray from them"
    Dacia Waters
  • "I visited Summerfield Family Eye Care on 2/25 for an 11am appointment. The staff was friendly and I received answers to questions quickly. Not only did I receive an appointment a lot more quickly than other locations, but the overall time in office was phenomenal (Waiting room time quick, and seen the OD almost instantly). I'd recommend to family and friends for sure."
    Adam Hicks
  • "They are wonderful. Both me and my almost 4 year old are patients and they make her feel so comfortable and at ease, which isn't always easy. Would highly highly recommend."
    Miranda Peascoe

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

    March Newsletter: Are Your Eyes Getting Enough Vitamin D?

    Not getting enough of a key vitamin might increase your risk of several eye diseases. ...

    Read More

    March Newsletter: Is Your Prescription Up to Date? What You Need to Know about When and Why You should See Your Optometrist

    Not sure when you need to see the eye doctor? ...

    Read More

    Saccadic Fixators

    This entails a wall-mounted square board with a starburst design. Along the various striations of the starburst are lighted buttons. As the buttons light up, the patient works quickly to see how many of these lit buttons they can push before they go out. The key is to keep the head still. Peripheral ...

    Read More

    Patches

    Eye patches are used to strengthen muscle control in weak eyes. By placing a patch over the strong eye, the weaker eye is forced to do the heavy lifting. While it may be uncomfortable for the patient at first, the muscle controlling the weaker eye will become tougher and more resilient. This will allow ...

    Read More

    Rotation Trainers

    Rotation trainers consist of a disk – with various designs – that is attached to a rod-like base. As the disk rotates, the patient is asked to perform tasks that are designed to test and enhance eye-hand coordination, space awareness, perceptual awareness and visual acuity. ...

    Read More

    Computer Software

    Computer aided vision therapy consists of a software package designed to enhance eye tracking skills, visual thinking, processing skills and binocular vision skills. Eye teaming, focusing and tracking are not optical in nature, and problems in these areas are the result of poor eye muscles. Specialized ...

    Read More

    Prisms

    A prism has the same cross-section across the entire length of its shape. When used in eyeglasses, they often correct abnormalities associated with nearsightedness, farsightedness and double vision. Eyeglasses, or corrective lenses, reduce or increase the size of the image based on the eyes’ ability ...

    Read More

    February Newsletter: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month

    Do you know how age-related macular degeneration could affect your vision? ...

    Read More

    February Newsletter: Why Dry Eye Is So Difficult to Treat

    Are dry eyes a frequent problem? Try these tips. ...

    Read More

    January Newsletter: How to Tell if You Have Macular Degeneration

    Do you know the symptoms that may mean you have macular degeneration? ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map