| Mistake | Why it’s wrong | |--------|----------------| | Massaging outward (away from nose) | Pushes tears back into eye, not down the duct | | Using circular motions | Doesn’t generate directed pressure toward the nasal exit | | Pressing on the eyeball | Can injure the cornea or increase eye pressure | | Massaging angry red skin | May spread infection into the orbit or brain via facial veins | | Doing it once a week | Too infrequent to maintain pressure gradient |
⚠️ – 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. lacrimal duct obstruction massage
If the blockage does not improve after age 12 months, or if symptoms are severe, a procedure such as probing may be recommended. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) Eye: Tear Duct Massage - Nationwide Children's Hospital Press firmly and move your index finger in short downward strokes 3 to 5 times. Repeat these steps 3 times each day – morning, noo... Nationwide Children's Hospital Lacrimal Duct Obstruction - Valerie Vick, MD Referral to Dr. Vick is indicated if symptoms are still present at 12 months, or sooner if significant symptoms or recurrent infec... Valerie Vick, MD Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf Aug 8, 2023 — | Mistake | Why it’s wrong | |--------|----------------|