Watering eyes & tear-duct surgery

Watering eyes and tear-duct surgery

Tears normally drain from the inner corner of the eye, through a small channel, into the nose. When that channel — the tear duct — is blocked, tears spill over the eyelid, and the eye may become sticky or infected. Blocked tear ducts are common in babies and in older adults, and they can be treated.

Written by Dr. B. Anil Kumar · Reviewed by Dr. R. K. Rasmi Praveen · Last reviewed 25 September 2026
Consultant ophthalmologist discussing clinical evaluation and treatment options with a patient in consultation room

In babies

Many babies are born with a tear duct that hasn't fully opened. About nine in ten clear on their own during the first year. Firm downward massage over the inner corner of the eye (Crigler massage) can help, and we'll show you how. If the watering hasn't improved by 12 months, or it keeps getting infected, a short procedure called probing opens the duct. [R16]

In adults

In adults the duct can narrow with age, or after infection, injury or some treatments. We first check whether the tear duct is open with a simple test — gently flushing fluid through it (syringing) — and look for other causes of watering, such as dry eye or eyelid problems.

DCR surgery (Dacryocystorhinostomy)

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) creates a new drainage path from the tear sac into the nose, bypassing the blockage. It is usually successful and the result is often permanent, though occasionally a second procedure is needed.

After DCR

  • Pain is usually mild and settles with cold compresses and painkillers.
  • Keep your head slightly raised and use cold compresses for the first day or two.
  • Avoid blowing your nose, straining, bending and heavy lifting for as long as we advise.
  • A small nosebleed can happen; call us if bleeding is heavy or doesn't stop.

When to get help urgently

Call us if the corner of your eye becomes painful, swollen and red — this can be an infected tear sac (dacryocystitis) and needs prompt medical treatment.

Who treats watering eyes and tear-duct surgery here

Dr. B. Anil Kumar

Founder & Senior Eye Surgeon

Questions patients ask

Will baby tear-duct probing need surgery later?

Over 90% of children treated with timely tear duct probing achieve complete cure without needing further surgery. [R16]

Is DCR surgery done under general or local anaesthesia?

DCR surgery can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on what is most comfortable and appropriate for you.

References

[R16] American Academy of Ophthalmology, Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Preferred Practice Pattern (https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/nasolacrimal-duct-obstruction).