Nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Background
- Also known as dacryostenosis
- Most common cause of tearing in children
- Occurring in up to 20% of all normal newborns and up to 6% of all children during the first year of life
Clinical Features
- Chronic or intermittent tearing
- Debris on the eyelashes (mattering)
- Occasionally redness of the conjunctiva
Differential Diagnosis
Neonatal eye problems
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction
- Dacrocystitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Chemical
- Gonococcal
- Chlamydia
- Herpetic
- Streptococcus/S. Aureus
- Early onset glaucoma
- Uveitis
- Ocular foreign body
- Corneal abrasion
- Ocular trauma
- Ingrown eyelash