When the ducts are infected or blocked, they can become swollen.
A swollen tear duct can usually be managed with self-care measures such as warm compresses and massage.
Sometimes, however, a swollen tear duct may require antibiotics or surgery to make it heal.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
This article explains common causes of swollen tear ducts and how they are diagnosed and treated.
They drain tears through the nasal bone and into the back of the nose.
When tear ducts are blocked, tears can’t drain normally.
As a result, the eyes can become watery, irritated, or repeatedly infected.
Symptoms of swollen tear ducts include:
The tears may be thicker than normal.
The eyes can also become dry and crusty.
The symptoms of a blocked tear duct may get worse after a cold or sinus infection.
They may also become more noticeable after exposure to the cold, wind, or sunlight.
Here’s more about these causes as well as some less common ones.
Infection
Dacryocystitis, or an infected tear duct, causes excessive tearing, redness, and/oryellow discharge.
This infection is unrelated to allergies, a cold, or other underlying conditions.
Sometimes there is abnormal development of the skull and face.
In severe cases, an infection in the tear duct can spread to the eyelid.
Excessive use of certain eye drops for treating glaucoma can also lead to blocked ducts.
How is a Swollen Tear Duct Diagnosed?
An ophthalmologist can diagnose a swollen tear duct based on a physical examination and diagnostic tests.
You will be asked to provide a full medical history.
Your provider will examine the eye and surrounding areas.
Treating a swollen tear duct can often ease symptoms like tearing, pain, and redness.
Treatments can widen or bypass a blocked tear duct to help tears drain normally again.
There are things you’re free to do at home to unblock the duct.
In some cases, however, surgery or procedures to kick off the ducts may be necessary.
Self-Care
The easiest method for treating a swollen tear duct is through massage and warm compresses.
In severe cases, people with a tear duct infection may need intravenous antibiotics and observation in the hospital.
These medications are not made for use in the eye and could have irritating ingredients.
The tear drainage system is flushed with a saline solution to clear out any residual blockage.
This is done undergeneral anesthesia.
A tiny loop of tubing is left in the tear duct.
While it may be visible, it’s usually not bothersome.
These tubes are generally left in for three to four months and then removed.
This approach also requires general anesthesia.
Surgery
Surgery may be required if other treatment options are not working.
This surgery is calleddacryocystorhinostomy(DCR) surgery, also referred to as lacrimal sac surgery.
DCR is one of the most common eye surgeries performed on adults.
It creates a new route for tears to drain from the eye.
Sometimes the new opening totally bypasses the tear drainage system and lets tears flow straight into the nose.
This surgery is performed on adults only when no other treatments have worked.
It is rarely performed on children.
The surgery can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.
After the procedure, you may be giventopical steroids, nasal medications, and pain medication.
Two surgical techniques include:
As with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks and complications.
Your surgeon will discuss these with you beforehand.
Possible complications include:
At your first appointment after the surgery, any stitches will be removed.
You may have follow-up appointments at six weeks, 12 weeks, and finally at six months.
A swollen tear duct can result from an infection or a blockage.
Symptoms of a swollen tear duct include excessive tearing, eye discharge, chronic nasal infections, or injury.
Self-care measures such as warm compresses are often effective for unblocking the duct.
If they don’t work, antibiotics or minor surgery may be necessary.
A swollen tear duct can be uncomfortable but is manageable when treated early.
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Bausch and Lomb.Blocked or infected tear duct.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct causes.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear.Could your watery eyes be a sign of a blocked tear duct?
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus.Nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Blocked tear duct treatment.
Advanced Eye Centers.Lacrimal drainage surgery.
Dean Mcgee Eye Institute.Lacrimal surgery for tear ducts.
Javed Ali M, Naik MN, Honavar SG.External dacryocystorhinostomy: Tips and tricks.Oman Journal of Ophthalmology.2012;5,3:191-5. doi:10.4103/0974-620X.106106
