Schedule An Appointment

Symptom Checker

A Blocked Tear Duct in Babies

A blocked tear duct prevents tears from draining normally from the eye into the nose. A baby may have constant watering or mild discharge from the affected eye.

Most blocked tear ducts in babies happen because the drainage channel has not fully opened at birth. Less commonly, infection, injury or other structural problems can block tear drainage.

Call a nurse All symptoms

AAP Guide to a Blocked Tear Duct in Babies

The AAP guide below explains what is normal, how massage may help and which changes may mean your baby has an infection.

AAP Symptom CheckerBlocked tear duct

If the Symptom Checker does not appear here

It is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ own tool and it loads from their site, so a lost connection or a content blocker leaves this space empty. Open it on HealthyChildren.org with the button below, or call your office and a nurse will answer.

Open on HealthyChildren.org

Symptom CheckerBlocked tear duct New tab

When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

  • The white of the eye becomes red.
  • The eyelid or area beside the nose becomes swollen, red or tender.
  • Thick discharge appears with increasing redness.
  • The tearing continues beyond the age when your pediatrician expects the duct to open.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

  • A young infant has fever and significant swelling or redness around the eye.
  • Your baby appears severely ill or has another life-threatening symptom.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

More on eyes

See all 164 symptoms