Blocked Tear Duct/Dacryostenosis Causes

Causes of Blocked Tear Duct

Most of the tears are formed by the lacrimal glands, which are located above each eye. The tears flow down the surface of the eye to lubricate and protect it and then drain into the tear duct system through an opening (lacrimal punctum) located at the corners of the upper and lower eyelids. The tears eventually drain into the nose through the naso-lacrimal duct. A partial or complete blockage of the tear drainage system causes dacryostenosis.

Obstruction of the tear duct is caused by -

• Congenital abnormality - Many children are born with an underdeveloped tear-duct system or there may be a duct abnormality. Almost 20% of newborns are affected by this condition at birth.
• Bacterial infection of the duct
• Sinus or nasal infection, especially the long standing infections

• Eye infection
• Fracture of the nose or bones of the face
• Nasal polyps
• Nasal, sinus or lacrimal sac tumors
• Medications - Long-term use of certain topical medications, like those that treat glaucoma, can cause a blocked tear duct. It can possibly be a side effect of docetaxel (Taxotere), a commonly used chemotherapy drug for breast or lung cancer.(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  Eyes - Blocked Tear Duct
  
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