Blocked Tear Duct Treatment Options and Costs Explained

Your tear ducts are responsible for draining tears from the eyes into the nasal cavity. When these ducts become blocked — a condition called nasolacrimal duct obstruction — it can lead to excessive tearing, eye irritation and an increased likelihood of infections.¹

Blocked tear ducts appear most often in newborns but can affect people at any age. In babies, blocked tear ducts usually resolve themselves by the time a child is 6 months old, with no effect on the child’s vision or lasting eye problems. Adults may experience blocked ducts due to injury around the eyes or nose, age-related issues or surgery around the nose.¹

Treatment options for blocked tear ducts vary depending on the underlying cause, the severity of the blockage and the patient’s age.

What Is a Blocked Tear Duct?

The tear drainage system is made up of small canals that consist of a tear sac (lacrimal sac) and a tear duct (nasolacrimal duct) that reaches from the eye into the nose. Tears are produced by an organ under your upper eyelid and then pushed into the drainage canals located at the inner corners of the upper and lower eyelids. The drainage canals empty into the tear sac, which sits on top of the tear duct. The tear duct then drains the tears into your nasal cavity.²

If a tear duct is blocked or can’t open properly, it can fill with fluid and become swollen or inflamed.¹ The tear drainage system may become infected if lacrimal sacs collect bacteria, a condition called dacryocystitis.²

Causes of a Blocked Tear Duct

Blocked tear ducts can result from various factors, including:

• Congenital blockage. Some infants are born with blocked tear ducts, often due to underdeveloped ducts or a thin membrane covering the opening. Most infants will outgrow this condition by the time they’re 1 year old.²
• Infections. Inflammatory or chronic eye infections, such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), can lead to inflammation and scarring, which can block the tear ducts.³
• Injury or trauma. Injury to the nose or eye area can damage the tear ducts and lead to blockage.¹
• Aging. As people age, the small openings in the corners of the eyes can narrow, leading to blockages.¹
• Tumors or growths. In rare cases, tumors in the nasal cavity or sinuses can press on the tear ducts, causing obstruction.³

Symptoms of a Blocked Tear Duct

Symptoms of a blocked tear duct can affect one or both eyes and include:¹

• Constant or excessive watery eyes, even when not crying, known as epiphora
• Redness and swelling around the inner corner of the eye
• A yellowish or white discharge in the corner of the eye
• Pain or discomfort near the affected tear duct³

Your eye doctor may use a dye disappearance test to diagnose a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. A fluorescein dye is placed in the eye and then observed to see how long it takes for the dye to disappear. If the dye disappears quickly, it indicates the tear ducts are functioning normally. If the dye remains in the eye for an extended period, there may be a blockage of the tear ducts.⁴

If a blockage progresses to an infection such as dacryocystitis, symptoms can include redness and swelling of the eyelids, fever, pain and mucus or pus in the eye. Call a healthcare professional if you or your child experience any of these symptoms.²

Treatment Options for Blocked Tear Ducts

For mild cases or in newborns, conservative treatment methods for blocked tear ducts are often recommended first.³

Gently massaging the area between the eye and nose several times a day can help open the membrane that is blocking the tear duct.¹ Applying a warm, moist compress to the affected area, followed by massage, can help alleviate symptoms and promote drainage.² To treat infection from a blocked duct, topical antibiotics in the form of eye drops or ointments might be prescribed, or an oral antibiotic in more severe cases.²

If conservative treatments and medications are not effective, or if the blockage is severe, surgical intervention may be necessary.² There are several surgical options available:

Dilation, probing and irrigation procedure

Probing is a common treatment for infants who do not respond to massage, but may also be used in adults with simple blockage. The tear duct is dilated by inserting a thin, flexible probe through the tear duct to clear the blockage. Irrigation with sterile water may also be used to flush out the duct.⁵

Balloon dilation

This procedure is often recommended for children and adults with partial blockages, or for those who have not responded to probing. Balloon dilation involves inserting a small balloon catheter into the tear duct, and then inflating the balloon to widen the duct and clear the blockage.⁶

Stenting or intubation

In cases of complex or recurrent blockages, a small silicone tube or stent may be inserted into the tear duct to keep it open. The stent is usually left in place for a few months and then removed.⁷

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

DCR is the most common surgical treatment for blocked tear ducts in adults. The surgery creates a new pathway for tears to drain directly into the nasal cavity, bypassing the blocked duct. Recovery from DCR surgery typically involves a few weeks of rest, during which patients may need to use antibiotic eye drops and avoid strenuous activities.³

Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR)

CDCR is a surgical procedure that creates a new tear drainage pathway from the eye to the nasal cavity. It’s typically performed when the tear ducts are completely obstructed or damaged beyond repair due to trauma, scarring or previous surgeries, and less invasive treatments, like DCR, are not effective.⁸

How Much Does It Cost to Treat Blocked Tear Ducts?

The national average cost* to treat blocked tear ducts can vary between $82 and $7,070 depending on the type of treatment.

Average cost to treat blocked tear ducts by procedure type

Below is a breakdown of average costs* to treat blocked tear ducts based on the type of procedure.⁹

Average cost of DCR by state/district

The national average cost* for a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) — the most common treatment option for adults — is $3,633.⁹

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* of DCR by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.⁹

Seeking Professional Treatment

Blocked tear ducts can be frustrating and uncomfortable, but with the right treatment, most people can find relief. From conservative methods like massage and warm compresses to surgical interventions such as DCR and stenting, there are numerous options available to address the underlying cause of the blockage.

If you suspect you or your child has a blocked tear duct, consult an eye care specialist to determine the best course of action. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and help restore normal tear drainage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blocked Tear Ducts

Do you still have questions about blocked tear ducts? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Blocked Tear Ducts

Whether you’re paying for treatment for blocked tear ducts or getting an eye exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.