Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction (CLDO) is literally a 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 antibiotics reserved only if conjunctivitis occurs. Lacrimal sac massage has been proposed as helping to open the duct, but the evidence for this is lacking.[1]
Referral to an opthalmologist is indicated if symptoms are still present at 12 months.