Clogged tear duct or something more???

My daughters pediatrician keeps informing me that it is just a clogged tear duct. She is 7-months old and I swear it is getting worse. Poor thing can't even open her eye all the way. When she wakes up it is completely glued shut with goop. I have used a few different drops but they do nothing except make her little eye look worse. It gets so bad that it looks raw. Is this normal or do I go over my pediatrician's head and find a pediatric ophthalmologist? It is starting to look weak and lazy...if there is something I can do NOW to prevent her eye from being lazy in the future then I would be up for it!


I'm in Ventura County so if anyone knows of a specialist in the area I would love names.

Clogged tear duct or something more???
My son had the same thing, when I took him to the dr, they took a culture and had it sent off. In the mean time (in case it was pink eye) they gave me an ointment to put in his eye. It ended up being a clogged tear duct, the dr called me with the results and told me to stop using the ointment. He was to the point where his eye was practically glued shut with the goo. It cleared up within a few days though. Yours sounds more serious and I would go above your drs head. If it turns out to be nothing but the tear duct, then you will feel better knowing you did all you could. On the other hand if you don't go you really don't know what the outcome will be, whether the baby could lose sight in the eye or it become weak, etc. You should do what makes you feel better.
Reply:Opthamologist. If her eye is getting lazy, they can work to fix that. My son had problems with both eyes wandering and it was fixed before he was 10 months old with simple patching. If we had waited until he was older, surgery may have been the only option. The specialist will also be able to fix the tear duct hopefully. Make sure you are also rubbing/massaging under the eye until you can get there. Call your insurance to find who they cover and call those names first to see if they are accepting new clients. Good Luck!
Reply:Take her to an eye specialist. She could have an infection by now so you probably should stop the eye drops, too!


The majority of blocked tear ducts unblock themselves after a few days, but after a week or so, sometimes the doctor has to unblock them.


Both my daughters had them (unblocked themselves), but my oldest also had a blocked saliva gland that the doctor had to undo.
Reply:You really need to find someone else to look at her. Now adays doctors dont always know exactly what is wrong. That is the sad truth. I think you should trust what your gut is telling you and get someone elses opinion
Reply:It doesn't hurt to be cautious. If going to another doctor gives you peace of mind then do it. Until the use a warm damp wash cloth to keep it gunk free. Good luck and take care.
Reply:money
Reply:It sounds like your daugther may have a severe bacterial infection, possibly conjunctivitus (pink eye) This explains the goop and rawness. In which case, you would need special drops perscribed specifically by an opthamologist. I would go to a specialist as soon as possible. Until then, cleanse her eye with a wet, warm washcloth. Try not to worry, young children often get eye infections. Get her checked out and it should clear up in about three days to a week.
Reply:Ask to be referred to a specialist. I'd demand it.
Reply:What kind of drops have you been using - prescription? There are antibiotic drops that you can use to help clear up the goop and they work quickly (starts improving first day). She probably has a little infection but the goop will keep coming until you get these drops. Your pedi should be able to call them in without even going in to see him.



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