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What Is a Dacryocele (Tear Sac Cyst)?

A dacryocele is a round swelling near the inner corner of the eye. It forms when both the upper and lower tear passages are blocked. Fluid builds inside the sac and creates a smooth blue or pink bulge. Newborns show this more than adults. Early review helps prevent infection.

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What Is a Dacryocele (Tear Sac Cyst)?

A dacryocele is a round swelling near the inner corner of the eye. It forms when both the upper and lower tear passages are blocked. Fluid builds inside the sac and creates a smooth blue or pink bulge. Newborns show this more than adults. Early review helps prevent infection.

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What Causes a Dacryocele?

The tear duct can close at two points which traps fluid. Tissue plugs present at birth are a common cause. Infection can also seal the passages. Trauma to the area can shift tissue and block flow. Each block changes how fluid collects.

What Symptoms Can Develop?

Parents notice a soft swelling near the nose. Tears collect on the lid margin. Redness can appear if infection begins. Feeding or crying can make the bulge more clear. Some cases progress to discharge.

How Is a Dacryocele Diagnosed?

Doctors examine the swelling and check tear drainage. Pressure on the sac reveals how fluid moves. Imaging helps confirm the pathway blockage. Newborn history adds helpful clues. Early diagnosis guides treatment.

What to Know Moving Forward

A dacryocele is a tear sac cyst that can cause swelling near the inner corner of the eye and can become infected. Medical evaluation helps confirm the diagnosis and decide whether massage, antibiotics, or a procedure is needed, especially in infants. Monitor for redness, warmth, fever, or increasing swelling, which can signal infection. If the area becomes very tender or the eye looks more swollen, seek urgent care.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Dacryocele (Tear Sac Cyst)

Is a dacryocele dangerous?

It can lead to infection if left untreated.

Can newborns outgrow it?

Some newborns clear the blockage naturally.

Can it return?

It can return if the passage stays narrow after healing.

When is surgery needed?

Surgery is used when massage and compresses do not clear the blockage.

References

Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). https://aapos.org/glossary/nasolacrimal-duct-obstruction. Updated on November 13, 2025

Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532873/. Updated in 2023

Presentation and management of congenital dacryocystocele. Wong RK, et al (Ophthalmology). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18955412/. Published in 2008

Congenital dacryocystocele: diagnosis and treatment. Cavazza S, et al. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2689544/. Published in 2008