Probing Scheduled for Blocked Tear Duct

I'm sorry to hear that you and your family are going through this, what a pain. My daughter had a blocked tear duct when she was a couple of weeks old but fortunatly it cleared up with some drops.

I wanted to let you know that I had a horse that had a blocked tearduct that had to be probed and flushed. I assume that the procedure is pretty much the same for humans as it is for horses. It didn't take very long and the horse didn't need sedation. She tolerated it well and her eye was 100% the next day.

I know it's not much but I hope it helps to put your mind at ease. Best of luck for you and your family.

My daughter's tear duct was blocked and we went through the goopiness, etc. We waited until she was a year and it eventually opened up. I was really glad not to have to go through with the surgery to unblock it. You might want to just wait it out.

Carol, the solution that worked for me is similar to what you have been trying, but a little different. Some may find it odd, but it worked for my daughter who had a blocked tear duct as an infant. In addition to 2-3 times a day gentle massage of the tear duct, the midwife that helped deliver her suggested a drop of breast milk in the affected eye helps. There's no way to know if this will work, but it's benign and who knows?

Best of luck to you in making this decision, and also in your upcoming move back "home."

My first son had a blocked tear duct that took until almost a year to open - we were so glad, as it was down to the wire! He was a preemie, so he saw an optometrist 3 times in his first year, and she wasn't too concerned. Then my second son had both eyes with blocked tear ducts, but they both fixed themselves after a couple of months. I understand the need to do the procedure when you don't have to sedate, but could you wait just a little longer?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

My 7 month old has blocked ducts in both eyes but we've been told to wait until a year.. I'd love to see the response you've gotten because I'm pretty nervous about it too.

Thanks!