DD2 was born with a blocked tear duct. It is constantly weeping and also has a yellow discharge that gives the look of conjunctivitis. The Dr told me that if it doesnt clear up itself she will need to have surgery to open it up by inserting a probe Has anyone elses child had to have this done or has it cleared itself?
I am sick of telling 'well meaning strangers' that no its not conjunctivitis its a blocked duct, yes I have tried using breast milk and saline but its a blocked duct not an infection. Do they just think I am slack and not getting treatment for her. I hope it does clear up cause I am sick of explaining it to people or getting 'looks'.....
Don't worry too much about strangers. Conjunctivitis is common in little babies and lots of people probably assume that they are the first ones to hear about using breast milk or saline, and have to tell everyone they can find!
Yes, I have looked after children who have had their tear ducts probed to clear a blockage. It's generally day surgery, and not too painful. Sometimes they have a little bit of bleeding from the tear duct afterwards.
Thanks Schmickers for your reply, it just doesnt sound like a very nice procedure. At what age does the op generally happen? Ive also heard gently massaging the duct can help?
DD was born with a watery eye that appeared to be conjuctivitas, possible blocked tear duct. It cleared up itself after a about 8wks or so. Nothing really worked, it just seemed to get better. I just had to keep cleaning the eye with warm water and cotton balls.
Have you had it looked at pehaps by an Optometrist?
It's horrible when people judge from afar
My son had this.
My doctor said that the term for it was "gummy eye" LOL
It cleared up by the time he was 6 months, we just used saline on cotton pad thingies to clean it. It was worse when he had a bit of a snotty nose. (could always tell he was a bit "off" cause it would be worse KWIM?)
I also had the same thing and at 6 wks of age, the doc took me off mum and went into another room with a nurse and "fixed it". Mum said the noise I made was horrific
So I am glad it is done differntly now.
My DS had this in both eyes. One of his eyes cleared itself up by about 12 months, the other still weeps. He needs to have the operation, and I am freaking out!
We've seen the opthamologist about it, and he says there is not that much that can be done- either they grow out of it, or they don't. But I have done some research on it, and there are a lot of people who suggest doing massage on the area- only works for babies as young as yours, not toddlers like mine. If you google it, there are some good descriptions on how to do it. I think I even recall seeing a youtube video on the right technique.
I hope your LO's clears up. I am not looking forward to the procedure. Evidently the operation is no big deal in itself, but they have to be under a general for it, which is tough for little ones.
But to re-assure you, they don't take any action on it until well after they are one, and the vast majority clear up by then.
I was wondering this myself, DS was born with a yukky eye and its progressively got worse. The saline wipes and breast milk only do so much. Im hoping he will grow out of it as well, i dont think they do any surgury until they are at least 12months old.
And yeah the conjuctivitis remarks get a little old after awhile and you do get sick of explaining thats its not conjuctivitis just simply a blocked tear duct.
Blocked tear duct
Has anyone elses child had to have this done or has it cleared itself?
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks