Blocked Tear Ducts - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Altson · 07-20-2005, 10:01 AM

Hi everyone -

My baby, Drue, has blocked tear ducts. I massage and keep them cleaned out as best I can. The Dr. gave me drops for when it gets really gross and basically tells me that they grow out of it or there is a surgical procedure that can be done when she turns one if it's still causing problems.

She has outgrown it in one of her eyes, and the other is noticably improved. My question is since I know this is a common occurence in babies, for those of you that are dealing with this or have dealt with it, what all did you do and for those of you that eventually had the surgical procedure, what did that involve?

2fst · 07-20-2005, 11:24 AM

My DS has one blocked tear duct. I massaged it everytime I fed him his bottle and then cleaned it with a wet cloth. I massaged it just by pushing on the duct toward his nose. I would do it once or twice at a time and alot of that nasty junk would come out. Then for a little while it cleaned up pretty good and was just runny not thick mucuos. Then is came back like it was. And now for this past week it has been looking normal. I still massage it every now and then but nothing comes out. My aunts had from when they were babies until they were 12 or 13, only one had to have the surgery. So it basically runs in the family.

tomatoes49 · 07-21-2005, 01:13 PM

hey lady

my dd had logged tear ducts too
i was told to do the same as you
one eye cleared up and they other still has it a lil but i feel it gets worse when i use the drops
do you have the same problem ?
or is it good forr it to get worse like that ?
i was told by doctor it could take six months to clear completely

Altson · 07-21-2005, 01:43 PM

You know, now that I think about it, when I have to use the drops (when her eye is completely stuck shut in the morning is when I decide she needs them), I do notice that that evening and the next day they are super runny/goopy. I assume it's the drops working. The Dr. told me they are more prone to eye infection and that's what all the green stuff is and to use the drops then.

It's getting better and better as she matures, but it's nasty and icky.

dizzygirl · 07-21-2005, 03:08 PM

My son had one too. The doctor told me it can come and go for about a year, and then they consider surgery. I know it's nasty, but do the massages, and the warm compress. Jack's cleared up, for now, it's been almost 2 months. It seems to be so common though.