Question 1

how to unclog a tear duct?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Tear outflow consists of two parts, the upper from the eyelid to the side of the nose, and the lower from the side of the nose into the nose.  If the upper is clogged it can sometimes be opened by probing done by your ophthalmologist.  If the lower portion then it may require surgery.  If a child, there is a different set of rules.

Question 2

how do you get the pain to stop when air is trapped in your tear duct?

Accepted Answer

Tear duct pain: I would try over the counter pain meds, for example, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Also a warm compress to the area may be helpful. If these don't help, I would seek care with an ophthalmologist sooner than later.

Question 3

how can u rupture a tear duct?

Accepted Answer

trauma: You cannot rupture a normal tear duct by ordinary activity.  It will open only with trauma which cuts into the lid on the inside portion near the nose.

Question 4

how do you treat a blocked tear duct?

Accepted Answer

See below: Dacryostenosis, clogged tear duct, is usually managed by gentle massages over tear duct.  Most of clogged ducts open before 6 months of age.

Question 5

i have a chronically blocked tear duct?

Accepted Answer

Often needs surgery: The tear duct is in the corner of the bottom eyelid near the nose and drains tears into the nose. It can be blocked at birth creating watering eyes with discharge, or occur later from other causes. Sometimes that needs surgery to open.

Question 6

how do i clean out a blocked tear duct?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If in a child you can keep it clean and use massage against the nose to help it open.  If in an adult, you need an ophthalmologist to determine whether the block is in the upper or lower system with different treatment for each.  You cannot clean it out yourself but can massage to clear out accumulated debris until you get it medically fixed.

Question 7

what is the result of blocked tear duct?

Accepted Answer

Tears don't drain: If a tear duct does not drain, they well up along the edge of the eyelids & skin germs can get in & cause a chronic low grade crustiness or discharge.Sometimes recurrent inflammation of the eyelids will occur.

Question 8

what does a blocked tear duct feel like?

Accepted Answer

Not usually painful: A blocked tear duct can be congenital, or more commonly is aquired over time. It generally is painless, causing excessive tearing, but if it leads to an infection of the tear, or lacrimal sac may be painful. It is usually treated with a surgical procedure called a dcr.

Question 9

what can i do to fix a blocked tear duct?

Accepted Answer

Probe duct: A ophthalmologist can thread a wire down the duct & push out an obstruction.

Question 10

what can be done for a blocked tear duct!?

Accepted Answer

Drops or surgery: In infants it will sometimes resolve spontaneously. In adults it may resolve with antibiotic drops but may require an office procedure like flushing the duct or may require a surgical procedure called a dacryocystorhinostomy ( dcr). A true duct obstruction in an adult will not go away spontaneously and can lead to a serious infection of the soft tissues around the eye that can spread to the brain.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Torn tear duct

A member asked:

How to unclog a tear duct?

A member asked:

How do you get the pain to stop when air is trapped in your tear duct?

A member asked:

How can u rupture a tear duct?

A member asked:

How do you treat a blocked tear duct?

A member asked:

I have a chronically blocked tear duct?

A member asked:

How do i clean out a blocked tear duct?

A member asked:

What is the result of blocked tear duct?

A member asked:

What does a blocked tear duct feel like?

A member asked:

What can i do to fix a blocked tear duct?

A member asked:

What can be done for a blocked tear duct!?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?