Clogged Tear Duct Massage | Official

Before you consider surgery or strong medications, doctors almost always recommend a simple, non-invasive first line of defense:

When done correctly, you might notice:

A (medically known as Crigler massage or hydrostatic massage) is a gentle home technique used to help clear a blockage in the drainage system of the eye. While common in newborns, this technique can also be used for adults to encourage proper tear flow and prevent secondary infections. How to Perform a Clogged Tear Duct Massage clogged tear duct massage

Before you begin, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Ensure your fingernails are trimmed short to avoid scratching the delicate skin around the eye. Eye: Tear Duct Massage - Nationwide Children's Hospital Before you consider surgery or strong medications, doctors

Clogged tear duct massage is safe, free, and highly effective—if you do it correctly. Be patient. It can take several days to weeks of consistent massage to see a difference. Ensure your fingernails are trimmed short to avoid

Do not rub directly on the eyeball. The massage happens on the bone beside your nose.

If you or your child is dealing with a clogged tear duct (dacryostenosis), you have likely been told to try the "massage technique" before resorting to surgery. Having utilized this method extensively on an infant with a blocked duct and later experiencing a blockage myself, here is my honest take on the process.