Blocked Tear Ducts in Infants (Pediatric Advice)

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Newborns commonly have blocked tear ducts (dacrostenosis). This is a situation where the tear duct that drains tears into the nose is blocked enough so that tears are not draining into the nose as they normally would.
Unlike conjunctivitis (eye infections) where there is an infection and a lot of redness and purulent discharge in the eyes, the discharge when it's a blocked tear duct is either a clear tear like substance or very slightly yellow or white. Blocked tear ducts typically resolve by the first birthday in 90 - 99% of children. In very rare instances, when this does not resolve on it's own by age one, you may choose to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). I have had some parents chose to wait beyond a year, and these blocked tear ducts almost always resolve without the need for surgery. Eye doctors will either probe the tear duct or put in a stent (tiny hollow tube) to allow the tear duct to function normally.
If you think the eye is starting to get infected, and you are breast feeding, you can put a drop or squirt of breast milk in the eye and this will typically solve the issue.
Occasionally, antibiotic eye drops will be used if the eye starts to get infected.
Tear ducts can be massaged, but if you try this, make sure the pressure is against the nose, in the corner of the eye. Absolutely do not put any pressure on the eye itself.

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