Blocked Tear Ducts

If you’ve watched a bawling baby recently — or just Hollywood’s latest tearjerker — you’re well aware that some tears stream out of your eyes down your face. 

However, we also have tear ducts that drain tears through our noses. These drainage ducts are why your nose gets runny when you cry or when your eyes water from an allergic reaction. 

When these tear ducts are clogged, problems occur. Here are the reasons by which these tears ducts got blocked:

Congenital blockage: As many as one-fifth of infants are born with blocked ducts. This might be because of underdeveloped or abnormal ducts, or because of developmental issues in the structure of the face and skull.

Narrowing of ducts with age: As adults age, the openings of tear ducts can narrow, increasing the likelihood of tear duct obstruction

Infection and inflammation: Infections and inflammations of the tear ducts, eyes and nose can all cause blocked tear ducts. Tear duct blockage can itself also cause infection and inflammation

Facial injuries and trauma: Any injuries that affect the tear ducts or the bone structure surrounding them can lead to blocked tear ducts.

Tumors, cysts, and stones: Blocked tear ducts can also arise from tumors and other growths.

While blocked tear ducts cause a variety of symptoms, they also signal underlying issues. Always consult your eye doctor about issues with your eyes, so you can get prompt attention and care of any problems.

At 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® our main goal is to keep you up-to-date on everything related to eye care and eye health. We hope this article has inspired you to visit your local optometrist. Your vision is priceless and a thirty minute appointment once a year is certainly something you should be able to commit too. Getting your eyes tested regularly will help you stay on top of your general health, eye diseases and even headaches!

Please note that nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please see your eye care practitioner. For more, you can read the original article here.