For parents, even a simple discomfort in their child is a cause for concern. Especially in the case of newborn babies, this anxiety can be multiplied. Tear duct obstruction, which can be seen in many newborn babies, is also a problem that frightens mothers and fathers, although it is a solvable condition. What causes blocked tear ducts in infants? How to treat it?
What is Tear Duct Blockage in Infants?
The main function of the eye glands is to secrete tears. The secreted tears spread from the tear duct openings to the inner surface of the eye with the blinking movement. The incomplete formation of tear duct mouths is called tear duct obstruction. It is a common problem in newborn babies. This problem occurs because the development of the baby in the womb is not complete. Although in many cases it resolves spontaneously without any surgical intervention, it is a condition that worries parents.
What Causes Tear Duct Blockage?
The reason for this blockage is that the duct mouths that drain the eye downwards did not finish developing in the womb. Most babies born this way have this obstruction problem. However, this thin membrane tissue, which is closed in most babies, can open spontaneously within an average of 2 months.
How Common is Tear Duct Blockage?
This condition can occur in an average of 6% of newborn babies. There is no need to evaluate for other diseases associated with tear duct problems.
What are the Symptoms of Tear Duct Blockage?
When babies with a blocked eye canal cry, the tear does not pass through the canal, so the area is not cleaned and bacteria accumulate in the eye. Without appropriate intervention, germs begin to multiply in this warm and nutrient-filled wet environment. This can lead to burrs and infections that you can understand with adhesions on the eyelashes. The symptoms of this problem in the eye can be listed as follows:
- Tearing in the eye
- Frequent burrs in the eye
- Frequent accumulation of tears in the area of the eye close to the nose, that is, where the upper and lower lids meet, due to duct obstruction
- Swelling at the root of the nose
- Inflammation by pressing the root of the nose
Some babies may develop swelling and redness under the eyes due to inflammation. However, this does not cause a permanent problem.
How to Treat Tear Duct Blockage?
The most effective method of treatment is massage. With this massage, which is usually done in the first year, the probability of spontaneous opening of the canal is around 95%. The massage for canal blockage should be done as follows:
- Pressing the junction of the root of the nose and the eye with circular movements,
- It is applied from the root of the nose downwards.
The movement should be done regularly, on average 3-4 times 10 times a day, without neglect. Effective up to 1 year of age, the effectiveness of this movement is greatly reduced in children over 1 year of age.
If there is burring in the eye during this process, antibiotic drops may need to be used to prevent infection. If the discomfort persists, an ophthalmologist should be consulted after the 6th month. In this case, the ophthalmologist At the end of the 1st year, the ophthalmologist can perform probing. If the complaint continues At the end of the 2nd month, probing is repeated. If all of these procedures are insufficient At the age of 3, the baby undergoes a dacryocystorhinostomy, an operation on the tear duct.