Lacrimal Duct Obstruction Massage ❲No Survey❳

: By blocking the upper exit of the lacrimal sac with a finger and stroking downward, you increase internal fluid pressure (hydrostatic pressure). This pressure can "burst" the persistent fetal membrane at the distal end of the duct.

Use your or clean little finger :

Enough to blanch your own fingertip (turn it white briefly) but not cause pain. If the baby pulls away or cries hard, you’re pressing too hard.

Lacrimal duct obstruction massage, often called , is a non-invasive physical technique used primarily in infants to help open a blocked tear duct. By applying strategic pressure, this method aims to clear the thin membrane—known as the valve of Hasner —that often fails to open at birth. Why Massage is Used

The most useful and scientifically recognized "feature" of lacrimal duct obstruction massage is the it creates to physically rupture the obstruction . This technique, commonly known as the Crigler maneuver , is the standard non-invasive approach for treating blocked tear ducts (congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction) in infants. Key Features of the Crigler Maneuver

The goal is to create enough hydrostatic pressure within the tear sac to "pop" the blockage open. Follow these steps for the best results: Blocked Tear Duct: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

This guide is for educational purposes. Always consult a pediatrician or ophthalmologist before starting lacrimal duct massage, especially if the eye is red, swollen, or the discharge is thick. Do not use this technique if your child has had recent eye surgery or trauma.

or yellow "goop" that crusts on the eyelids. Swelling or redness in the inner corner of the eye.

⚠️ – If the eye is swollen, bright red, painful, or has thick green/yellow discharge with fever, do not massage. That may be an infection (dacryocystitis) requiring antibiotics.