Which home-care instruction is part of canaliculitis education?

• A. Warm compresses and massage several times per day at home
• B. No home care is needed
• C. Stop antibiotics after 2 days
• D. Massage once daily

Answer: (A)

Canaliculitis education focuses on at-home steps that promote drainage and help clear material from the affected canaliculus. Warm compresses soften debris and reduce stasis, while gentle, regular canalicular massage—done several times a day—helps express dacryoliths or purulent material, easing obstruction and improving the effectiveness of any prescribed antibiotics. This combination is a practical, commonly recommended home-care approach to manage infection and prevent recurrence. Stopping antibiotics early, or relying on only minimal massage or no home care, would not adequately address the infection and could lead to persistence or worsening symptoms, which is why the recommended instruction is to use warm compresses and massage several times daily.