# Tear Duct Diseases

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/tear-duct-diseases

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Nail Sönmez | **Date:** 2026-09-09

> **Summary:** Tear duct diseases affect the system that produces, distributes and drains tears into the nose, causing dryness, constant watering, discharge or infection. Treatment depends on the cause and ranges from artificial tears, drops and massage to probing, tube placement and DCR surgery.

## Quick Facts
- **Infant Blockage:** 80% of cases resolve spontaneously within the first year
- **Probing in Babies:** If the blockage persists after the age of 1 year
- **Surgery for Permanent Blockage:** DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy)

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## What are Tear Duct Diseases?
The tear system produces, stores and distributes tears to keep the eyes moist; it includes the tear ducts, tear sac and eyelids. Conditions affecting it include:
- Dry eye disease
- Blepharitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Tear duct obstruction
- Eye injuries
- Infections
- Systemic diseases

**Diagnosis:** Eye examination and medical history, plus tests of tear production and quality and checks for infection.

**General treatment:** Mild cases with over-the-counter artificial tear drops or ointments; more severe cases with prescription antibiotics, steroids or immunosuppressants; sometimes surgery to open the ducts or increase tear production.

## Dry Eye
Dry eye is insufficient moistening of the eye surface with tears, causing irritation, itching and blurred vision.

**Causes:**
- Tear production naturally decreasing with age.
- Sjögren's syndrome, arthritis and lupus.
- Antihistamines, antidepressants and blood pressure medications.
- Dry air, wind and smoke.
- Long screen use, which reduces blinking.
- Contact lenses, which can impair tear quality.

**Symptoms:** Stinging, burning or itching; blurred vision; eye strain; foreign body sensation; light sensitivity; redness; paradoxical excessive watering; sticky eyelids.

**Treatment:** Artificial tear drops, gels or ointments; treating the underlying condition or adjusting medication.

## Tear Duct Obstruction
The tear duct runs from the inner corner of the eye into the nose. A blockage causes discharge, redness, watering and infection.

**Causes:**
- Congenital: incompletely developed ducts, a membrane at the lower end of the duct (where it opens into the nose) that has not opened, or a narrow duct.
- Eye infections.
- Trauma to the eye area.
- Rarely, tumours in or around the duct.
- Narrowing with age.

**Treatment:**
- **Mild cases:** Tear drops and massage.
- **Severe cases:** Probing, tube placement or DCR, which creates a new drainage route for tears into the nose.
- **Infants:** Blockage is common; 80% resolve within the first year, with drops and duct massage during that time. If it persists after the age of 1 year, probing or other procedures are needed.
- **Adults:** Usually caused by infection, injury or tumour; infections are treated with antibiotics, tumours are removed surgically, other causes may need probing, tube placement or DCR.

## Tear Duct Injuries
Injury impairs tear drainage. Symptoms include redness and swelling, watery or dry eye, discharge and crusting, itching and irritation and blurred vision. Causes are trauma, infections, foreign bodies, tumours, congenital disorders and some medical conditions.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What are the symptoms of a blocked tear duct?**
A: Constant or frequently recurring watering, crusting, swelling and redness at the inner corner of the eye, and sometimes discharge from infection.

**Q: Does a blocked tear duct in babies open on its own?**
A: Many congenital blockages open within the first year; the duct massage your doctor shows you helps. If it does not open, probing can be done.

**Q: How is a blocked tear duct treated in adults?**
A: According to where the blockage is and its cause; a permanent blockage may need DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy).