Blocked tear duct in babies
This problem is known as a blocked tear duct or chronic dacryocystitis. We will tell you what exactly it is about.
It is possible that your baby suffers constant infections in one of his eyes , even before reaching his first year of age. In most cases, it is a problem known as a blocked tear duct or chronic dacryocystitis.
Many babies when they are born still do not have fully developed or mature, certain functions of the body. Like the function of creating and expelling tears in an efficient way. This is a very common problem that, fortunately, in the vast majority of cases is solved naturally after the first year. Even in cases where it does not resolve itself, it can be treated with simple medical treatment.
Index
THE TEAR SYSTEM
The eyes are always exposed to various external agents, dust, pollution, bacteria and hundreds of dangers that can damage them. To protect them, there are the eyelids and eyelashes that prevent various injuries from occurring .
In addition to preventing these external agents from damaging the eye, the eyelashes and eyelids have the function of maintaining proper hydration . If not, the cornea could easily be damaged as a result of dehydration . The lacrimal system is also made up of tiny glands, which make the tears contain an oily part that prevents them from evaporating.
Tears play a very important role, since they are responsible for cleaning the eyes and keeping them hydrated . But not only that, they also contain antibodies that prevent the eyes from suffering from various infections.
Tears leave the eyes through the tear ducts, two small slits located in the lower and upper eyelids. Those tears that are produced pass through small tubes located in the inner part of the eyelids, and from there, they enter the lacrimal sac. Then the tears pass through the nasolacrimal sac , which is the part that is connected to the nose.
It is for this reason that every time you cry, your nose fills with snot . Because the eyes produce excess tears and the nose does not have the capacity to assimilate so much liquid .
In the case of babies, the nasolacrimal sac is the one that is most frequently obstructed . A problem that usually corrects itself naturally, when it matures and grows within the first year of life. However, some babies need medical help so that this function can be carried out correctly and avoid infections , tearing and excess discharge.
BLOCKED TEAR DUCT IN BABIES
If you have a baby that is a few months old and often wakes up with sore eyes and often has yellowish discharge, you should see your pediatrician so that a diagnosis can be made . Once other possible reasons such as infections are ruled out, the pediatrician will most likely tell you that your baby has a blocked tear duct.
This means that your baby begins to produce abundant tears, but because the nasolacrimal duct is blocked, the tears are not expelled and accumulate in the area.
The main cause is that many babies are born with an immature nasolacrimal system. This means that the tube through which tears must pass to be expelled is too narrow .
WHEN TO GO TO THE DOCTOR
As it is a baby, it is best to go to the doctor as soon as possible . On the other hand, the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated appropriately. Otherwise, complications such as infection could occur, which could even affect other areas of the baby’s face .
Therefore, if you notice that your baby regularly accumulates tears in the lacrimal , yellowish rheum, or that he tears constantly, make an appointment with the pediatrician as soon as possible.
TREATMENT FOR BLOCKED TEAR DUCT IN BABIES
In 90% of cases, the nasolacrimal system matures naturally before the baby reaches its first year of life. However, in other cases it is necessary to perform specific medical techniques to help improve this situation.
It is a simple outpatient surgery, which does not last more than 10 or 15 minutes and does not require hospitalization. Generally, sedation is used to make it more comfortable for the baby himself. The specialist inserts a catheter through the lacrimal cleft, and runs through the entire duct until it reaches the nose. In this way, the obstruction is removed and the tears are easier to expel normally.
HOW TO TREAT THE BABY AT HOME
It is very important that you take extreme care and eye hygiene for your baby, even before going to the pediatrician’s office. In this way, you can avoid infections that can lead to serious complications.
The first thing you should do is clean the baby’s eye very carefully . Remove the legañas at least three times each day to keep the area clear and clean. You can follow the following steps:
- Clean the eye with physiological saline : you should not use any other solution, neither water nor chamomile infusion, the most advisable is physiological saline . Apply carefully from the corner of the eye and work off the excess with sterile gauze. Use a clean gauze moistened with serum to remove the legañas. This way you can prevent infections from appearing and the other eye from being contagious.
- Perform a massage : With great care you can perform a gentle massage to promote the expulsion of tears. Place your finger on the point of the tear that is closest to the nose. Gently press lightly on the bridge of your nose . You must perform this massage for about 10 times a day to be really effective.
Remember to wash your hands very well whenever you are going to touch your baby, before cleaning the eyes and afterwards. Otherwise, the infection could be found on your hands and spread to the child in other parts of his body.
And most importantly, the baby should be seen by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible . This way you can prevent them from suffering infections and discomfort that for a baby can be really uncomfortable. Although it is a mild condition, serious complications can occur such as infections that spread to other areas and cause abscesses of pus.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.