A blocked tear duct  can cause - 1. Excessive tearing 2. Redness of the white part of the eye 3. Recurrent eye infection or inflammation or pink eye 4. Painful swelling near the inside corner of the eye 5. Crusting of the eyelids.

When the nasolacrimal duct, the tube which drains tears into the nose, is blocked a procedure is usually required. During this procedure, called a DCR (Dacryocystorhinostomy), a hole is created between the tear sac and the inside of the nose.

Every few hours, when the drainage builds up, warm up a clean and soft washcloth or cotton ball with water and gently clean the eye. You can apply gentle pressure to the tear duct and wipe from the inside of the duct to the outside, so you don't wipe anything into the eye.