Most of the tears are created in the lacrimal glands, placed over each eye. Tears flow down the surface of the eye for moisturizing and protection, after which they flow through small holes in the corners of the upper and lower eyelid. After that, tears flow through small channels to bags that look like lids that are attached to the outer part of the nose (the lacrimal sack), and then to the nasolacrimal duct before they flow to the nose, where they evaporate or are absorbed.
In adults, a nasolacrimal duct blockage can be a result of infection of the eye, swelling, trauma or a tumor.
When tear ducts are blocked, bacteria can lead to infection (dacryocystitis).
The symptoms of infection include:
- Inflammation (swelling), redness and pain in the inner corner of the eye or around the eyes and nose
- Repeating eye infection
- Blurred vision
- Tears mixed with blood
- Fever
The reasons for blocked tear ducts can include nasal chronic infections such as chronic sinusitis.
Other possible reasons:
- Nose trauma
- Polyps in the nose
- Conjunctivitis, infection and inflammation of the conjunctiva
- Tumor