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Canaliculitis is inflammation in the canaliculi, tiny channels that help move tears from your eyes to your nose. The condition most often develops after a bacterial infection. Providers typically treat canaliculitis with oral antibiotics or antibiotic creams and eye drops. Warm compresses and massage may also help relieve pain and swelling.
Canaliculitis is inflammation of the small channels in your eye (canaliculi). Your four canaliculi (two in each eye) help drain tears. Canaliculitis causes your eye to become red and painful with watery discharge, especially on the side nearest your nose.
Anyone can get canaliculitis. It’s more common in people assigned female at birth (AFAB) and people over age 40.
Canaliculitis isn’t common. About 2% to 4% of conditions affecting the tear system are canaliculitis.
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When one canaliculus or both canaliculi become infected or injured, canaliculitis may develop. Canaliculitis symptoms include:
Infection with Actinomyces israelii bacteria typically causes canaliculitis. But canaliculitis symptoms may also develop when canaliculi become infected with:
Sometimes, silicone plugs inserted into your punctum to treat dry eyes can become loose. Plugs may travel into your canaliculi and cause inflammation. A plug or other object lodged in your canaliculi may increase your likelihood of developing an infection.
Typically, canaliculitis won’t affect your vision permanently. But the condition causes symptoms like swelling and watery eyes that may temporarily affect how well you see. Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop canaliculitis symptoms.
Inflammation can develop after eye injuries when your canaliculi experience trauma. Severe eye injury may result in a cut to your canaliculus, known as canalicular laceration. When this occurs, eye surgeons perform canalicular laceration repair.
No, canaliculitis isn’t contagious.
If you have symptoms, see an eye care specialist called an ophthalmologist. This provider thoroughly examines your eyes. They talk with you about your symptoms and look for redness and upper punctum swelling (known as pouting punctum). Your provider may press on your punctum or near your canaliculi to see if discharge drains from your eye.
Your provider does an exam (clinical evaluation) to check your symptoms. They ask you about your symptoms to make a differential diagnosis — figuring out all the conditions that may cause your symptoms. Other conditions that may cause pain, redness and watery eyes include:
Your provider may take a sample of eye discharge to examine under a microscope to determine if you have a bacterial infection.
Antibiotics can get rid of the bacterial infection. Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral antibiotics, antibiotic creams or antibiotic eye drops. Providers may also flush (irrigate) your eyes with an antibiotic solution.
Canaliculitis home remedies include putting a warm compress on your eyes. Your provider may recommend you use a warm washcloth to gently heat the area and reduce swelling. They may also recommend you gently massage the area.
If you develop canaliculitis suddenly, known as acute canaliculitis, you may have treatment with antibiotics, compresses and massage. If those treatments don’t work, providers can remove objects lodged in your canaliculi during outpatient surgery called canaliculotomy.
Your provider may insert a tiny tube (stent) during surgery to help tears drain. They may leave the incision open while the area heals, or you may have stitches.
Your incision heals during recovery after canaliculitis surgery. If you have a stent, your provider typically removes it after a few months during an in-office procedure.
Canaliculitis can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Without prompt treatment, the condition may last for a long time (chronic canaliculitis), and sometimes, infection may recur (come back). Some people who have canaliculitis surgery experience scarring.
Call your healthcare provider if you experience red or swollen eyes or if your eyes water a lot. Follow your provider’s instructions for how to manage canaliculitis at home.
A bacterial infection is the most common cause of canaliculitis. You can help protect yourself from infection if you:
Canaliculitis can happen to anyone. But you may be at higher risk if you’ve had punctal plugs inserted to treat dry eyes. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any eye symptoms like redness, pain or watering.
Canaliculitis may take time to resolve. Be sure to take all medications and use creams and eye drops exactly as your provider instructs.
Canaliculitis is curable, but it’s important to seek treatment early for the best health outcome. Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms.
Call your healthcare provider if you notice any new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Red, painful or watery eyes can be scary and uncomfortable. You may wonder if your symptoms are a sign of something serious. Talk to your healthcare provider. You may have canaliculitis, an inflammation caused by infection or obstruction of the tiny channels that move tears from your eyes to your nose. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and can recommend at-home treatments to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/02/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy