Question
If a newborn has dacryocystitis, is it possible for the condition to heal naturally?
Answer
While theoretically possible, natural healing is quite rare in practice. Newborn dacryocystitis is often caused by congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and dacryocystitis itself is an infection that requires timely treatment to avoid severe consequences. The condition arises from the incomplete regression of embryonic remnants at the lower end of the nasolacrimal duct, leading to obstruction and the accumulation of tears, which in turn causes bacterial infection within the lacrimal sac. Newborn dacryocystitis is relatively common in infants, with the main symptom being frequent tearing of the eyes.