Blocked Tear Duct A blocked tear duct occurs when the opening
(duct) that normally allows tears to drain from the eyes to the
nose is obstructed or fails to open properly. If a tear duct
remains partially or completely blocked, the tear duct sac fills
with fluid, becomes swollen and inflamed, and sometimes gets
infected. Most babies with blocked tear ducts are born without
an opening in the thin tissue (membrane) that covers the duct.
In adults, several conditions can block the tear ducts, such as
a sinus infection or a broken nose. Usually no treatment is
needed for a blocked tear duct in a baby. In time, the duct will
open on its own. If the duct does not open, a procedure called
probing can be used to open it. In adults, the type of treatment
for a blocked tear duct depends on the cause. A blockage caused
by infection may be treated with antibiotics. A blockage caused
by a problem with the size or shape of the tear duct may require
surgery. eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise To
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