Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction

Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction (CLDO) is literally a tear ductthat has failed to open at the time of birth. With up to 20% of all babies presenting with this in the first month of life, this is a normal variation. It presents with a persistant watery eye often with discharge too.

It should be managed with gentle cleaning of the eye with cooled pre-boilled water. Most cases resolve spontaneously, with antibioticsreserved only if conjunctivitisoccurs. Lacrimal sac massage has been proposed as helping to open the duct, but the evidence for this is lacking.^{[{{fullurl:Template:FULLPAGENAME}}#endnote_BMJ1997]}

Referral to an opthalmologistis indicated if symptoms are still present at 12 months.

References

1. ^  Young JD, MacEwen CJ., Managing congenital lacrimal obstruction in general practice. BMJ. 1997 Aug 2;315(7103):293-6. ArticlePMID 9274552

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