• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Blocked tear duct

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

A blocked treat duct describes a partial or complete blockage in the tear duct system. This duct system carries tears away from the surface of the eye, into the nose.

Alternative Names:

Dacryostenosis; Blocked nasolacrimal duct

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Tears from the surface of the eye are normally drained into the nose by a convoluted tube called the nasolacrimal duct. If this duct is blocked, the tears will accumulate and overflow onto the cheek, even when a person isn't crying.

In children, the duct may not be completely developed at birth. This problem often disappears on its own. In adults, the duct can be damaged by infection, injury or tumor.

• Review Date: 8/8/2006
• Reviewed By: Paul B. Griggs, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.