Dacryostenosis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Dacryostenosis (dah-crow-steh-no-siss) is a blocked tear duct. This means that the tube that carries tears from the eye to the nose is blocked. A blocked tear duct is not a serious problem. But the eye by the blocked tear duct may get infected. This is because the tears are blocked and cannot flow to clean out the tear duct. It is common that almost 1/3 of all babies are born with one or both tear ducts blocked.

Causes: It is not known what causes a blocked tear duct in young babies. Often an eye infection may cause it in older children.

Signs and Symptoms: Your child may have signs of a blocked tear duct days or weeks after birth. His eye may be watery all the time. Or your baby may have tears running down his face without crying. The nose opening on the side of the blocked tear duct may be dry when your child cries. The area around the affected eye may be red and sore. The eye may have milk-like or yellow discharge if it is infected. You may also see or feel a small bump on the bottom corner of your child's eye near the nose.

Care: The tear duct will usually open on its own in about 6 months to 1 year. Caregivers may want you to gently massage (rub) the inside corner of the affect eye near his nose. This may control the discharge and help open the blocked tear duct faster. Antibiotic (an-ti-bi-ah-tik) medicine may be needed if your child has an eye infection. Your child may need to see an eye doctor if the problem lasts past 1 year. The eye doctor may open the tear duct either in the office or in the hospital.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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