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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe main symptom of a blocked tear duct is excessive tearing or watery eyes. Because blocked tear ducts often cause eye infections, other symptoms may include:
- Recurrent eye inflammation (conjuctivitis)
- Recurrent eye infections (dacrocystitis)
- Painful swelling of the inside corner of the eye
- Eye mucous discharge
- Blurred vision
- Bloody tears
When to see a doctor
If your eye has been watery and leaking or is continually irritated or infected, make an appointment to see your doctor. Some blocked tear ducts are caused by tumors pressing on the tear drainage system, and quick identification of the tumor will give you more treatment options.
- DelGaudio JM, et al. Nasolacrimal duct orifice cysts in adults: A previously unrecognized, easily treatable cause of epiphora. The Laryngoscope. 2007;117(10):1830-1833.
- Casady DR, et al. Stepwise treatment paradigm for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2006;22(4):243-247.
- Goldstein SM, et al. Comparison of monocanalicular stenting and balloon dacryoplasty in secondary treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after failed primary probing. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2004;20(5):352-357.
- Becelli R et al. Posttraumatic obstruction of lacrimal pathways: A retrospective analysis of 58 consecutive naso-orbitoethmoid fractures. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2004;15(1):29-33.
- Mandeville JT et al. Obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2002;13(5):303-309.
- Tan AD, et al. Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. International Ophthalmology Clinics. 2001;41(4):57-69.
- Mills DM, et al. Acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2006;39(5):979-999.
- Kapadia MK, et al. Evaluation and management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2006;39(5):959-977.
- Woog JJ, et al. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and conjuctivodacryocystorhinostomy. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2006;39(5):1001-1017.
- Hurwitz JJ. The Lacrimal drainage system. In: Yanoff. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.:Mosby Inc.; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104049824-3/744373637/1197/56.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01634-0..50102-4_2729. Accessed July 29, 2008.
