Tear duct probing for babies
tear duct probing · blocked tear duct in babies · nasolacrimal duct obstruction · sticky eye in babies
The doctor gently passes a thin probe through your baby's tear duct to open it. Tears can then drain into the nose again.
When your baby's eye keeps watering and getting sticky, and tear duct massage has not helped.
⏱ Duration: the procedure itself usually takes a few minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Feeding. Ask the clinic when to feed your baby before the procedure.
- Blanket. Bring a swaddling blanket. Babies are usually wrapped so they keep still.
- Be ready. Your baby will cry. That is normal. The procedure is short.
What to bring
- Your baby's documents
- A blanket and a diaper
- A bottle, or a way to feed your baby afterward
How it goes
- The eye is numbed with drops
- Your baby is wrapped, and an assistant helps hold the head
- The doctor widens the tear duct opening and passes a thin probe
- The duct is flushed with fluid
- If the fluid reaches the nose, the duct is open
- Your baby is handed back to you to soothe and feed
What you'll feel
- Your baby cries, mostly from being held
- A few drops of blood from the nose or eye can happen and pass
Afterwards
- Use eye drops as your doctor prescribes
- Massage the tear duct if your doctor says so
- Come for a checkup when your doctor says
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Swelling and redness at the inner corner of the eye, or a fever
- The eye has pus again a few days later: see a doctor
Common questions
Can it clear up without probing?
It often clears on its own in the first months, especially with massage. The doctor decides when probing is needed.
Does it hurt my baby?
The eye is numbed with drops. Babies mostly cry from being held.
Will it need to be repeated?
Usually once is enough. Sometimes it needs to be repeated.