'''Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction''' (CLDO) is literally a [[lacrimal duct|tear duct]] that has failed to open at the time of birth. With upto 20% of all babies presenting with this in the first month of life, this is a normal variation. It presents with a persistant watery eye often with discharge too.
It should be managed with gentle cleaning of the eye with cooled pre-boilled water. Most cases resolve spontaneously, with [[antibiotic]]s reserved only if [[conjunctivitis]] occurs. Lacrimal sac massage has been proposed as helping to open the duct, but the evidence for this is lacking.{{ref|BMJ1997}}
Referral to an [[opthalmologist]] is indicated if symptoms are still present at 12 months.
==References==
#{{note|BMJ1997}} Young JD, MacEwen CJ., Managing congenital lacrimal obstruction in general practice. [[BMJ]]. 1997 Aug 2;315(7103):293-6. [http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/315/7103/293 Article] PMID 9274552