And if you can’t? A 15-minute balloon procedure fixes it for a decade.
: Constant watering, making the world look perpetually blurred or shimmering.
This condition, known as , is surprisingly common in adults. The good news? You can often fix it at home. The bad news? If you do it wrong, you can make it worse. how to unclog a tear duct
Before attempting to unclog the duct, you must clear away any discharge (crust) that may have accumulated overnight or throughout the day.
You’re not just "crying for no reason." Your eye is constantly wet. Mucus builds up in the corner. Vision blurs momentarily. You look perpetually like you’ve just watched a heartbreaking movie. And if you can’t
You have tried massage and heat for two weeks. You are getting worse. Here are the red flags.
You have puncta (tiny holes) in the inner corners of your upper and lower eyelids. Tears drain down a canal into the lacrimal sac (a small reservoir near the side of your nose), then through the nasolacrimal duct, emptying into your nasal cavity. This condition, known as , is surprisingly common in adults
Stop wiping your eyes. Start fixing the drain.
When that final duct narrows or blocks, the fluid backs up. This is why your nose runs when you cry—those tears are supposed to go down your throat.
This is the most effective home technique. It helps create pressure to push fluid through the duct and clear the obstruction. This technique is commonly used for infants but is also effective for adults.
Here is the secret most ophthalmologists know but don't emphasize: