Most of the time, a blocked tear duct clears up on its own by the time a baby is 1 year old. But you can help prevent infection by keeping the eye clean and massaging the area of the blockage so fluid does not build up in the duct. If signs of infection develop, your baby may need an antibiotic medication.

If the duct remains blocked after your baby is 6 months to 1 year old, a simple procedure (probing) may be done to open the duct. Rarely, babies with blocked tear ducts have a more severe problem that requires more complicated surgery.

Should my baby have a procedure to open a blocked tear duct?

In adults, treatment depends on the cause of the blockage. If the duct is blocked due to a long-term (chronic) infection, antibiotic medications are used. Surgery for blocked tear ducts may be needed for structural problems of the drainage system (such as from injury or age-related changes) or abnormal growths.