Question

A 4-month-old infant is seen at the ambulatory care clinic and diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The mother asks what can be done. What information should be included in the information provided to the parent?

Answer 1

Answer:

Following information should be included in the information provided to the parent :

'Most of these conditions will spontaneously resolve'

Explanation:

Nasolacrimal duct carries the tears from the lacrimal sac of the eye into the nasal cavity and the duct then begins in the eye socket from where it passes downwards.

Obstruction of nasolacrimal duct may be acquired or congenital. As the nasolacrimal duct is obstructed , it results in the excess of overflow of tears resulting in epiphora.

However the nasolacrimal obstruction in the infants of less than 10 months of age resolves within 6 months with non surgical management.

Hence the parents should be informed that the condition will resolve in less than 6 months ..