How To Massage Tear Duct

💡 Always get a diagnosis from a healthcare provider (pediatrician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist) before starting tear duct massage, especially for adults with persistent symptoms.

The technique for massaging the tear duct requires precision rather than force. The practitioner should locate the lacrimal sac, which is situated in the "inside corner" of the eye (the medial canthus), slightly lower than the corner where the upper and lower eyelids meet. For an infant or adult, the patient should be in a comfortable position, ideally lying down.

The primary goal is to apply to the lacrimal sac. This pressure can physically "pop open" the thin membrane (often the Valve of Hasner) that may be covering the bottom of the tear duct, allowing trapped tears and mucus to drain properly into the nasal passage. Step-by-Step Technique

A blocked tear duct prevents tears from draining properly from the eye into the nose, leading to watery, irritated eyes and sometimes discharge. Gentle massage can help open the duct and encourage natural drainage.

The most common scenario for tear duct massage is in pediatric care, specifically for infants with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This condition affects approximately 6% of newborns and usually resolves spontaneously. However, healthcare providers often prescribe a specific technique known as the Crigler Method to expedite this process. In adults, massage is utilized to manage chronic dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lacrimal sac) or to express fluid during diagnostic procedures.

There are two primary approaches to the massage stroke: vertical and horizontal. The most effective method involves placing the tip of the index finger or the pad of the little finger on the medial canthus. The motion should be a firm, downward stroke. One should press inward against the bone of the nose and slide the finger downward toward the nostril. This action compresses the lacrimal sac against the bone, generating pressure that pushes accumulated fluid downward toward the obstruction. A common recommendation is to perform this motion ten to twenty times, two to four times a day.