We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Website information disclaimer.
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has several outpatient and urgent care centers throughout South Florida, including on-demand, virtual care.
Walk-in urgent care with no appointment needed.
Serving as your child's primary doctor's office.
Pediatric specialty consultations available closer to home.
A full range of comprehensive services all under one roof.
Connect with providers from the comfort of your own home.
View all hospital locations
With over 800 pediatric clinicians on staff, we’re dedicated to helping you connect with the right specialist for your needs.
We have expertise in treating children and educating families on hundreds of different conditions.
We use cutting-edge, specialized treatments and procedures to ensure the best care for your child.
Also known as: dacryostenosis.
The tear duct (nasolacrimal duct) is the tube that carries tears from the corner of the eye to the nose. Blockage (occurring in up to 10% of newborn babies and in 30% of children blockage happens on both sides) prevents tears from lubricating the eye properly or draining normally.
Blocked tear duct are common at birth due to the duct not being fully developed. Rarely in children they may result from infection, inflammation, injury, tumors or for other reasons.
The eye usually looks normal (unless secondarily infected) but has a constant watery tear filled eye with tears running down the face (occurring after a few weeks of age).
Most blocked tear ducts will open on their own by 1 year of age. A common treatment includes massaging the duct 2-3 times a day. If infection is present an antibiotic eye ointment may be prescribed. Dilating the duct (sometimes more than once) with a probe (or other mechanism) may be needed. Surgery is occasionally suggested if other treatments are unsuccessful.
Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP
This page was last updated on: February 03, 2020 12:23 PM