Blocked tear duct?

Hi,
Every winter i get the same problem as it starts getting colder. One eye (it can vary which one) starts to water and slowly but surely over a week a hard lump forms in the corner of my eye nearest the nose. If you press on it then my nose runs and if you press hard enough there's a popping feeling, my nose streams for a little bit and then there's no more watering of my eye or nose. Is this a blocked tear duct and am i doing any damage by popping it myself or is there a better way of dealing with things? I told my optometrist this and she scoffed at me and said what was happening was impossible, it was just a mild cold making my eyes water
Cassie

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It certainly sounds and acts like a blocked tear duct. I would suggest you see an oculoplastic surgeon, this is an Eye MD physician that specializes in eyelids, tearducts and the orbit. You may be helped by irrigation or dilation of the tear duct or use of drops to keep it open.

You can go to www.aao.org and use the Find An Eye MD feature to locate one in your area.

JCH III MD