Surgery for a Blocked Tear Duct: How to Care for Your Child

Your child had surgery to open up a blocked tear duct. The surgeon prescribed antibiotic ointment or drops to prevent infection while your child heals. It may take a week or so for your child's tears to start to drain normally.

• If your child seems uncomfortable and the surgeon says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) OR ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.

• If your child has blood in his or her tears or a small amount of blood from the nose, wipe the area with a warm, wet washcloth. This is normal in the first few days after surgery.

• If your child had general anesthesia (slept during surgery), let him or her start eating and drinking a little at a time. It can take a day or two to get back to a regular diet.

• It is OK to bathe and wash hair as usual.

To use the antibiotic eye ointment or drops:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry with a clean towel.

• For ointment, hold the medicine tube in your hands for a few minutes to warm it. NEVER microwave the medicine.

• Have your child lie down on his or her back.

• To keep your hand steady, rest your wrist lightly on your child's face.

• Hold the tube or bottle above the eye.

• Do not let the tip of the tube or bottle touch your child's eye or eyelid, your hands, or anything else.

• Gently pull down your child's lower eyelid.

• For ointment:

  • Squeeze the tube to apply a thin line of ointment to the inside (pink part) of the lower eyelid. Start near the nose and move out toward the ear. Usually, a ½-inch (1-centimeter) line of ointment is enough.

• For drops:

  • Shake the bottle before using, if recommended.

  • Put the recommended number of drops inside the lower eyelid.

• Wipe away any excess ointment or drops from the eyelids and eyelashes with a clean tissue.

• Your child's eye is red, swollen, or draining pus.

• Your child has eye watering for more than a week after surgery.

What causes a blocked tear duct? Tears normally drain into the tear ducts through small openings in the inner corners of the eyelids. Sometimes babies are born with a duct that is too narrow or has a thin membrane blocking it. In older kids, the causes of a blocked tear duct are different.

What do surgeons do to open a blocked tear duct? Surgeons can open a blocked tear duct in different ways, including:

• using a thin wire (called a probe) to clear the duct; this is most common

• placing a stent (tiny tube) into the duct to hold it open

• inflating a tiny balloon inside the duct to widen it

What if my child's eye begins to tear again? Sometimes it takes more than one surgery to open up a blocked tear duct. If a probe was used the first time, the surgeon may try it again or do a different surgery.