Watery Eyes in Children David Kinshuck

• Normal tears
• Blocked naso-lacrimal duct
• Probing
• Infection of the tear sac
• Leaflet: probing of tear duct
• see

Tears are made in a gland under the skin above the eye. They flow over the front surface of the eye, and drain into tiny tear ducts in the eyelids, near the nose (under the skin).

Then they flow into a tear ‘sac’, and from there they pass through a wide channel, the ‘naso-lacrimal duct’ into the inside of the nose.

Such babies may develop conjuctivitis every now again. That is, the eye goes red and sticky with a discharge. Antibiotic drops from your family doctor help get this better quicker. A few babies develop this repeatedly: ask you doctor if you can have a spare prescription in case this happens.

These infections usually start to clear as the duct opens, usually by the age of one.

Usually, in 90% of babies, the tear duct will open by itself, but if not, a small operation can help.

This is called 'probing' and this will open most blockages. It is very gentle, but does need a general anaesthetic.

There are unusual children born with slightly more complicated problems, and for these different operations may be necessary.

It is called ‘acute dacrocystitis’. This begins as a blocked tear duct and watery eye. The tears then get trapped in the tear sac, and stagnate. The stale tears may then become prone to infections.

1. Attend the nearest eye emergency department/service (you may need to contact yor GP first).
2. Bathe the ‘abscess’ with a warm tissue four times a day.
3. Your baby will need antibiotics
4. Sometimes the abscess needs draining.