How does tear duct massage work?
Tear duct massage can be performed at home to help the tear duct open. A pediatric ophthalmologist or primary car physician can demonstrate the most effective massage technique. When should topical antibiotics be used? Antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be used to treat discharge or mattering around the eye. The medication does not open the blocked tear duct and symptoms often recur when the eye drops are discontinued. When should tear duct probing be performed? If the tear duct remains blocked, a nasolacrimal duct probing may be performed. How does tear duct probing work? A smooth probe (resembling a thin straight wire) is gently passed through the tear duct and into the nose. Using probes of progressively larger diameters can widen a tear duct system. What type of anesthesia is used for tear duct probing? Some younger children have a tear duct probing done in the office using topical anesthetic drops. Older children usually have a brief general anesthesic in an outpatient surgery s
