Oculofacial Plastic, Reconstructive and
Orbital Surgery
- Select your keyword
- Asian Blepharoplasty
- Blepharoplasty
- Botox and Dysport
- Brow Lift
- Cable Lift
- CO2 Laser Resurfacing
- Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
- Ectropion
- Entropion
- Eyelid Surgery
- Fat Injection
- Fillers
- IPL
- Lacrimal Surgery
- Laser Resurfacing
- Latisse
- Microdermabrasion
- Orbital Surgery
- Percutaneous Cheek Lift
- Ptosis
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Skin Cancer
- Thermage
- Thyroid Eye Disease
- Trichiasis
Can blocked tear ducts occur in children and adults?
Yes. Both children and adults can have a blocked tear duct. About 5% children are born with a blocked duct. 98% of these open spontaneously by the time the child is one year of age. In adults, chronic tearing may be a sign of a blocked duct. This may be caused by chronic infections, inflammation, growths or even stones.
How are blocked ducts treated?
In children, the duct is probed with a very fine wire which may open the blocked canal. Sometimes it is necessary to place a small, clear, plastic tube through the duct to keep it open. In adults, a procedure called a dacryocystorhinostomy is performed. This outpatient surgery is used to create a new opening between the tear sac and the nose bypassing the blocked duct.