Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Surgery for My Two Year-Old

Yesterday we went up to Children’s Hospital Boston for my soon-to-be three year old’s nasolacrimal duct obstruction surgery. He has had pink eye more times that we can count! After a consultation with the pediatric ophthalmologist, we learned that both of his tear ducts were clogged.

Often clogged tear ducts will resolve themselves by the age of 1. If they are still blocked by one year, it’s kind of assumed that they will stay that way unless they are surgically opened.

The nasolacrimal duct obstruction surgery is only about a minute long (requires general anesthesia for small children), and we decided to do it now, so that C will stop get pink eye and sinus infections so much (when he’s congested, the fluid doesn’t drain from the eye either and tends to pool).

We had to get up at zero dark thirty in order to avoid the traffic mayhem that is Route 128 in the morning. Those of you from the Boston area know exactly what I’m talking about!

I think we headed out at 5 am. We had to get there 90 minutes prior to the surgery for pre-op. I am glad he got in early, since he couldn’t eat or drink anything. Thankfully he was too distracted by everything to mind!

The procedure went well and both ducts were opened, so we are crossing our fingers that we won’t have frequent pink eye anymore! For some insane reason, I was up at 3:10 am, so I took a long nap when we got home from the hospital. Running just wasn’t going to happen.

I’m thinking I may have to do a treadmill run tomorrow morning, since we are getting the precipitation from tropical storm Andrea. I REALLY hope I can get outside, but if all else fails, it will be the dreadmill!

Happy Friday!