What should parents do if their children are always tearful and have eye mucus?

Baby's eyes are always watery and tearful

And eye mucus

Parents, please pay attention.

Because the baby may have tear duct obstruction

What is a blocked tear duct?

Zhang Jiang, director of the National Ophthalmic Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Evaluation Committee, deputy chief physician, and director of the tear duct/eye and nose related department of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, said: Before talking about tear duct obstruction, we must first understand where tears come from. Tears are secreted by the tear glands above the outside of the eyeball. Their main function is to keep the eyeball moist and wash away the "garbage" on the surface of the eyeball. After the tears are secreted by the tear glands, they "flow" across the surface of the eyeball and are then discharged through the tear ducts. When the tear ducts are blocked, tears will flow out of the eye sockets, which is what we call "crying."

What are the symptoms of tear duct obstruction?

1. Tears shed even if you don’t cry

The main symptom of tear duct obstruction is epiphora, which is what we often call tears, but this kind of tears is different from tears when you are sad. You will cry whether you cry or not. Usually within two weeks after birth, the tear glands cannot secrete tears, so the symptoms of epiphora may not be obvious.

2. Excessive eye mucus and red and swollen eyelids

If the tear duct is blocked, tears retained in the lacrimal sac are more likely to breed bacteria, which may eventually develop into dacryocystitis. At this time, the baby's eyes will constantly have eye mucus, and the eyelids will sometimes become red and swollen.

How to deal with blocked tear ducts in babies?

1. Under 3 months old

Generally conservative treatment is adopted, that is, massage and medication

2. 4-8 months old

The golden period for tear duct exploration

3. 8 months and above

Lacrimal duct catheterization, endoscopic lacrimal duct diversion surgery

Director Zhang Jiang reminded

Blockage of tear ducts in children seriously harms the physical and mental health of the children. When parents find that their children have symptoms such as tearing, swelling, pain, congestion and edema, they should take their children to a regular hospital for diagnosis as soon as possible. After the diagnosis is confirmed, they should actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment to avoid worsening of the condition.