Blocked tear ducts

[amberj]

Ever since birth DS has had "runny eyes". He always has a tear or two running down his face- his eyes just leak. And he gets gunk, like 'sleep' in the corners of his eyes all the time.

Today the MCHN said we need to see a pediatric opthomalogist about it, as it should have cleared by this age (1).

Has anyone else had this experience? What do they do? Is it a big deal?

[~Kim~]

anything to do with your baby is a big deal hun
A very quick procedure (usually) though usually they have to go in for day surgery.
Pop them to sleep and push a little tiny probe down the duct to clear it. The tear duct runs from the eye through to the nose. Then they'll squirt a little bit of dye through to make sure it's clear.

[amberj]

Eeek! Been freaking myself out reading about it on the internet- although a "minor" procedure, you're right- because its to do with my child, it seems huge! The thought of him being under anasthetic is already making me cry. I honestly don't know how mums of sick kids do it!

[Yael]

Yes, we have had it done twice.. i will try and find the other posts i've done about DD eye problems.

I can recommend a fantastic paediatric opthamologist, who is in Bentleigh, and will do the op at the childrens hospital if you want.

[krysalyss]

Hey there. The specialist may not even recommend it yet. When DS went to see one it was a bit earlier - about 9 months - but he said to wait a bit longer. I thought it was after 1 year or maybe 18 months. But he showed us how to massage the tear duct, and it cleared up after that without needing surgery. Good luck!

[Yael]

current recommendations is to wait until 1 year before surgery, unless there are lors of eye infections occuring. we had first probing done at 10 months

[krysalyss]

We thought that DS had constant infections and the gps kept giving him AB drops. But the specialist said that they weren't infections after all - just snot coming up through. So we had been giving him stinging awful eye drops for nothing! But I am sure if his were really infections they probably would have considered doing him then.

[megs]

My eldest son had a blocked tear duct. He wasn't operated on until he was just over 2, the opthamologist was quite suprised that he was that old before it was picked up.

The operation was quite simple he had a very light anesthetic and was probably only under about 15 mins max. He came out of the anesthetic really well and the only sign of the operation was a tiny bit of red watery mucas at his nose.

[amberj]

Thanks megs, its good to hear it all went well.

We will probably have to wait ages for an appointment anyhow (public!), which is fine by me- maybe it will clear up between now and then. And if not, I would rather have him as old as he can before he has a general, however light!

Thank you all!