Blocked Tear Ducts

Medications

Blocked tear ducts prevent the eye's drainage system from working properly and make it prone to infection. Antibiotics are needed if signs of infection develop, such as redness, tenderness, swelling in or around the eye, and mucus that looks like it contains pus.

Some antibiotic solutions and ointments are applied directly to the eye (ophthalmic antibiotics), while some are taken by mouth (systemic antibiotics). They may also be used to try to prevent infection, although they have not been proved effective for this purpose. Antibiotics for more serious or long-term (chronic) infections can help reduce scarring of the drainage system for tears.

To learn the best way to use medicines that you put in your eye, see:

Eye problems: Using eyedrops and eye ointment.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: April 11, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
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