What are the treatment options for a newborn with nasolacrimal duct obstruction?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: May 30, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Research

For a newborn with a blocked tear duct, gentle massage is the primary treatment, as most blocked tear ducts resolve on their own by the baby's first birthday without medical intervention 1.

Treatment Approach

The treatment approach for a blocked tear duct in a newborn involves:

  • Gentle massage: Place your clean finger at the inner corner of the baby's eye and gently massage downward along the side of the nose for about 10 seconds, repeating this 2-3 times daily.
  • Keeping the eye area clean: Wipe away any discharge with a clean, warm, damp cloth from the inner corner outward.
  • Applying warm compresses: Apply warm compresses to the affected eye for 1-2 minutes before massage to help soften any blockage.

When to Consult a Pediatrician

If the blockage persists beyond 12 months, or if your baby develops signs of infection like redness, swelling, or fever, consult your pediatrician 2.

Additional Treatment Options

In persistent cases, a simple procedure called probing may be recommended, where a thin wire is used to open the blockage under light anesthesia 3. Some key points to consider:

  • The overall success rate for probing and irrigation only was 76.2% 2.
  • Balloon catheter dilation and silicone intubation can be considered as available treatment options for persistent cases 4, 2.
  • Nasolacrimal silicone intubation is a consistently successful procedure for the treatment of NLDO among children aged older than 12 months of age 5.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.