Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (Blocked Tear Ducts) Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction occurs when the tear duct is blocked by a membrane or is not fully developed from birth. This causes the tears to build up in the duct and overflow in your child’s eyes and run down their cheek. What is Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (NLDO) is a blocked tear duct. This problem Nasolacrimal Duct goes away on its own in about 90% of children by age 10 to 12 months. Obstruction? The eyes continually produce tears. They keep the eyes moist and clean. The tears drain into tiny holes in the upper and lower lids, called puncta. The tears then go down small tubes (canaliculi) into the tear duct (lacrimal sac). Then they flow from the tear duct into the nose. NLDO occurs when the tear duct is blocked by a membrane or its f no ully developed from birth. This causes the tears to build up in the duct and backflow into your child’s eyes and run down their cheeks. The blockage can be on one or both sides. Blocked tear duct. The blockage can occur in one or both eyes What are the signs • Large amount of tears when your child is not crying of NLDO? • Crusty or mucus discharge on eyelashes or eyelids How do you treat The options for treatment are: NLDO? • Massaging the tear ducts • Antibiotic drops or ointment if there is a secondary infection present • Surgery to open the tear duct 1 of 2 To Learn More Free Interpreter Services • Ophthalmology • In the hospital, ask your nurse. 206-987-3567 • From outside the hospital, call the • Ask your child’s healthcare provider toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter • seattlechildrens.org the name or extension you need. Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (Blocked Tear Ducts) What are the options for surgery? Probing Probing works very well in about 90% of children. Your child’s doctor places a small blunt probe (metal instrument) into the tear duct to open the blockage. Sometimes, this procedure can be done in the doctor’s office. Your child may take antibiotics after the procedure to prevent infection. Sometimes balloon dilation is used. Balloon Dilation Balloon dilation is performed at the time of probing procedure under anesthesia. A probe is inserted into the tear duct and a balloon is inflated to open the tear drainage pathway. Your child may take antibiotics after the procedure to prevent infection. Probing with This surgery is done in the operating room under general anesthesia. This placement of stent means that your child will be given medicine to make them sleep without (with or without pain during the surgery. The doctor places a stent into the tear ducts to Balloon Dilation) keep the passageway open. The tubes stay in place for 3 to 6 months and then are removed during an office visit. Your child may use antibiotic ointment after the surgery. Special If your child pulls the stent out before the scheduled removal, it is not an precautions emergency. You do not need to go to the emergency room. You should tape the stent to the bridge of the nose or cheek. Call the Ophthalmology clinic to set up an appointment to have it removed. Even if the stent is removed early, the success rate is usually the same. Seattle Children’s offers interpreter services for Deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speaking patients, family members and legal representatives free of charge. Seattle Children’s will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call the 11/19 Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children’s. However, your child’s PE927 needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon this information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider. © 2019 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved. Patient and Family Education | Ophthalmology 2 of 2 .