Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Children on August 17, 2026
A new parent notices their infant’s eye seems perpetually damp, with tears spilling onto the cheek even when the baby isn’t crying. Some mornings there is a crust of yellowish discharge along the lashes that wasn’t there the night before.
This pattern, while alarming to see for the first time, is one of the most common eye concerns pediatricians and pediatric ophthalmologists encounter in newborns and young children. Designated by the AAO, August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.
Here’s what the team at EyeHealth Northwest wants you to know this month about blocked tear ducts in children, what signs to look for, and when to seek professional attention.
What Causes a Blocked Tear Duct in Children?
Tears normally drain from the eye through a small canal called the nasolacrimal duct, which carries fluid from the corner of the eye down into the nose. In many infants, a thin membrane at the lower end of this duct fails to open fully before birth.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, this type of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction affects a meaningful percentage of newborns, though the exact proportion varies across studies. Without a clear path for drainage, tears back up, overflow onto the eyelid and cheek, and create an environment where bacteria can collect and cause discharge.
Less often, a blocked tear duct develops later in childhood due to an infection, a nose or face injury, or a structural issue that narrows the drainage pathway. Regardless of the cause, the underlying problem is the same: fluid that should be draining into the nose has nowhere to go.
What Are the Signs of a Blocked Tear Duct?
Excess tearing, medically known as epiphora, is usually the first sign parents notice. Other common symptoms include sticky yellow or white discharge in the corner of the eye, crusting on the eyelashes after sleep, and mild redness of the eyelid skin from constant moisture. Some children develop a small, tender swelling near the inner corner of the eye when the duct becomes infected, a condition called dacryocystitis that warrants prompt evaluation.
Parents sometimes mistake these symptoms for conjunctivitis, since both conditions can cause discharge. A pediatric eye exam can distinguish between the two by checking whether the tearing improves with gentle pressure on the tear sac and whether the eye’s surface appears irritated.
How Are Blocked Tear Ducts Treated at Home?
Most cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction resolve on their own within the first year of life as the membrane at the base of the duct opens naturally. In the meantime, gentle massage over the tear sac, performed with a clean fingertip using downward strokes several times a day, can help clear the blockage by pushing fluid through the duct and encouraging the membrane to break open. Parents are also taught to wipe away discharge with a warm, damp cloth to keep the eye clean and reduce the risk of secondary infection.
If the eye becomes increasingly red, swollen, or produces thick discharge, an eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic drops to treat a bacterial infection alongside the massage technique. These conservative measures are usually enough to manage a blocked tear duct through infancy without further intervention.
When Is Nasolacrimal Duct Probing Necessary?
When symptoms persist beyond 12 months, or when infections recur despite home care, a procedure called nasolacrimal duct probing is often recommended. In most young children, probing is performed under brief general anesthesia and involves passing a thin, smooth instrument through the duct to open the membrane and restore normal drainage. The procedure is quick, and most children go home the same day with minimal discomfort.
In cases where probing alone does not resolve the blockage, an ophthalmologist may place a small silicone tube in the duct to keep it open while the blockage heals, or recommend a more involved surgical procedure for children with a structural narrowing that a single probing cannot correct. A thorough pediatric eye exam helps determine which approach fits your child’s specific eye anatomy.
Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today
A blocked tear duct is rarely a cause for serious concern, but persistent tearing, recurrent discharge, or swelling near the inner eye deserves a professional look to rule out infection and confirm the right treatment path.
The team at EyeHealth Northwest can guide families through home care, monitoring, or procedural treatment as needed. If your child is showing signs of a blocked tear duct, schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today.
