Diagnosis and treatment of persistent tearing in infancy.

Persistent tearing in infancy is frequent. The evolution of the symptom and a simple examination generally leads to a definite diagnosis and therapeutic orientation. The main cause is congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Nevertheless, some symptoms correspond to other causes such as congenital glaucoma with clear tearing, megalocornea and corneal oedema, or particular forms of chronic conjunctivitis or keratitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]