One of my infant's eyes is constantly tearing. Should I be concerned?
Tears are created by the lacrimal gland to keep the eyes clean and moist. Normally, the tears drain through small holes, called puncta, located in the corners of the upper and lower eyelids. From the puncta, tears drain into the common lacrimal sac and into a drainage system called the nasolacrimal duct. A blocked tear duct occurs when this drainage system is blocked or has not opened properly. In infants, this drainage system may not be completely mature at the time of birth, causing the duct to be more narrow than usual. If the drainage system is disrupted, tears have nowhere to drain and the eyes become flooded. The tearing often spills over onto the eyelid, eyelashes and down the cheek. In addition, intermittent crusting may appear on the eyelashes, especially after taking a nap. If an infection develops, the eyelids may appear red and swollen, and a greenish-yellow mucus may be present.
In the majority of infants with blocked tear ducts, the blockage will open on its own as the infant grows. However, it's best to alert your pediatrician if your infant is tearing, as treatment for blocked tear duct is usually simple.
