How To Unclog A Tear Duct ★ Trending & Easy

When that final duct narrows or blocks, the fluid backs up. This is why your nose runs when you cry—those tears are supposed to go down your throat.

Stop wiping your eyes. Start fixing the drain. how to unclog a tear duct

But what happens when the drain gets clogged? When that final duct narrows or blocks, the fluid backs up

We tend to take tears for granted. We associate them with emotion—joy, sadness, frustration. But clinically, tears are a vital hydraulic system for your eyes. Every time you blink, a thin film of tears washes over the cornea, providing oxygen, nutrients, and a protective shield against bacteria. Start fixing the drain

Here is your tactical, medical-grade guide to unclogging that drain. You have puncta (tiny holes) in the inner corners of your upper and lower eyelids. Tears drain down a canal into the lacrimal sac (a small reservoir near the side of your nose), then through the nasolacrimal duct, emptying into your nasal cavity.