Is it dangerous to do surgery on a baby for epiphora?

Depends on variables: I have no problems recommending this when a skilled ophthalmologist and a well trained anesthesiologist are involved in the case. The procedure is usually done as an outpatient and doesn't take very long.

See below: This is not a risky procedure. Talk to your anesthesiologist before the procedure. Do they work on a lot of children, what are they going to do? Most anesthetics on children start with the use of mask delivered anesthesia to put the child to sleep. This is done to place an IV at which point the full anesthetic can begin.

Helpful: Aside from anesthesia risks, which are miniscule, there are little other risks. Your pediatric ophthalmologist will insert a probe through the natural plumbing from lid into the nose, to break through the residual membrane blocking tear outflow and causing the epiphora. This almost always works, and in fact the only 'risk' is failure to break through or reformation of the block later -low risk.