Most of the health problems related to our eyes and vision are often associated with old age. But children are also at risk of suffering from certain issues. For example, as many as one-third of all babies are born with an underdeveloped tear-duct system. Tear ducts are a vital part of good eye health. If they are unable to function properly, children may need medical care to address tear-duct blockages caused by this underdevelopment.
Our team of pediatric ophthalmologists and their experienced eye care professionals are among the very few specialized providers in the tri-state area that treat this condition. Call today or use the online scheduling tool to learn more about this condition from our providers.
The term blocked tear ducts refers to an issue where small tubes known as tear ducts never develop properly or never completely open. In a healthy eye, tear ducts help tears and other fluids drain from the eye. A blocked tear duct, however, prevents the flow and drainage of those fluids. As a result, the duct and tear sac in the eye may become swollen, inflamed, or infected due to the fluid backing up within them.
Unfortunately, while a blocked duct can strike at any age, they are most common in infants. In fact they affect about 6 out of 100 newborns. And unlike many eye health issues, which are preventable, blocked tear ducts at this age tend to be related to growth and development issues. Some experts think family history may also contribute to the risk of a child suffering from this condition. In most cases, blocked tear ducts often clear up on its own during the baby’s first year and they do not usually have any effect on the baby's vision or cause any vision problems.
The most common cause of a blocked tear duct is the failure of the tissue at the end of the tear duct to open normally. Other than that, there are a few other causes of blocked tear ducts in babies. They are:
In the case of adults, a blocked tear duct may sometimes be caused due to aging or an bone or tissue injury around the eyes. Several other disorders like the thickening of the tear duct lining, or aberrant tissue growth in the nose, or problematic outcomes from a nasal surgery could cause the blockage of the tear ducts in adults.
In many cases, only one eye at a time is affected by this condition. Symptoms that parents and doctors may notice in children as this issue develops include:
It is especially noteworthy that these symptoms are likely to present within days or weeks after a child is born. If a tear duct is blocked, parents and doctors will know about it sooner rather than later. The symptoms of a blocked tear duct may be exacerbated following an upper respiratory infection like a cold or sinus infection. Chill wind, cold weather, and sunlight also may make symptoms worse.
Diagnosing a blocked tear duct is usually done by a thorough understanding of the patient’s medical history, followed by an eye exam. Our eye doctors may also employ tests to measure the amount of tears and check if the tears are draining normally from the eyes. A few other tests could also be used to help the doctor find out where the blockage is or how it was caused.
The good news is that a blocked tear duct in a child will often resolve itself within the child’s first year. During this time, parents will be able to assist in treating the issue at home, primarily by helping to keep the affected area clean. To help prevent infection and other problems until the blockage goes away, parents are always advised to:
In some cases, young children may need to undergo surgery to address the problem. For example, what is known as a probing procedure may be carried out to open the duct, if it does not clear on its own. Probing successfully opens a blocked duct in about 80 out of 100 cases of the condition.
In some cases, if necessary, doctors may look into stenting or intubation to help address a blocked duct. During this process, tiny tubes are threaded through a child's drainage system, to help fluid drain and unblock the system. Stenting can help keep a child comfortable by reducing the tearing and discharge. If, however, a blocked duct does not resolve naturally or with stenting, your doctor will recommend more complex surgery to address the issue. The procedure, known as a dacryocystorhinostomy, is rarely performed in children, but is sometimes necessary to assist in resolving this condition. During this surgery, surgeons create a new route for tears to drain through a child's nose, bypassing the blocked duct. Stents or intubation are also often included in this procedure, and used temporarily to assist in the draining of fluid.
At Everett & Hurite, we believe in using the latest techniques of tear duct surgery using an endoscope. Ultimately, though, the exact steps needed during a child’s care and surgery will be decided on a case by case basis. Call today or use the online scheduling tool to learn more about this condition from our providers.