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Dear Patient and Family,

With a mixture of sadness and gratitude, I announce the closing of my practice after 45 wonderful years in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Eye Muscle Specialty. As of August 30, 2024, I will be retiring.

Serving as your eye doctor has been an immense privilege and honor. Over the years, I have had the joy of building relationships with so many of you and being a part of your lives. I am incredibly grateful, humbled, and appreciative that you have allowed me to be part of your life’s journey, just as you have been a part of mine. Each day of my career has been a unique opportunity to touch lives in ways that have brought me immense joy. I will treasure these memories forever.

I have thoroughly enjoyed living and working in Cincinnati since founding the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital in July 1979. However, I am now an empty nester. My wife Barbara (who you may know as my "Do-Everything" office manager) and I have two sons and six grandchildren, all of whom reside in
Florida. We are looking forward to moving there and spending much more time with our family.

As my practice closes, I understand the importance of finding a new pediatric ophthalmologist. While it will be up to you to connect with a provider of your choice, I can recommend the following options:

Michael B. Yang, M.D.

  • 7185 Liberty Centre Drive, Suite D
  • Liberty Township, OH 45069
  • Office phone: 513-777-2000
  • Email:
  • libertyeyecenter.org

Pediatric Ophthalmology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital

  • 3333 Burnet Ave.
  • Cincinnati, OH 45229
  • Office: 513-636-4751
  • Scheduling: 513-636-3200
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org

Regarding your medical records, all my records will be transferred to Morgan Records Management, LLC shortly after my practice closes. There will be a brief transition period, but if you wish to obtain a copy of your records, you can submit a written request to:

Morgan Records Management: Medical Records

  • Phone: 833-888-0061
  • Email:
  • Online: MorganRecordsmanagement.com
  • Find “Patient Records Request “ — Hit Tab “Request My Medical Records”

Saying goodbye is never easy. I want to thank you once again for the trust you placed in me throughout the years. I wish you all the best for your future health and happiness.

Warm regards,
Miles J. Burke, M.D.

Tear Duct Obstruction

Dr. Burke is one of Cincinnati’s most trusted resources concerning Tear Duct Obstruction.

What is a tear duct obstruction?

There is a drainage system to clear moisture from the eye. The final drain pathway is a tube, called the tear duct, that drains into the nose where the tears flow down onto the back part of the tongue and are eventually swallowed. The most common reason for overflow of tears and discharged in infants is a tear duct obstruction.

What are the symptoms of a tear duct obstruction?

The presenting signs of a tear duct obstruction are tearing and mattering without conjunctivitis or red eye. The over abundance and spontaneous overflow of tears is a common problem in infant’s occurring in up to 25%. The signs of excessive tearing and discharge may be present within the first few weeks of life. In other cases, overflow tearing may not be obvious for 3-4 months.

What happens to tear duct obstructions in infant?

The most common cause of excessive tearing in an infant is a tear duct obstruction. A great many infants, more than 90%, will show spontaneous resolution of the tear duct obstruction by 6-9 months of age. Thereafter, the likelihood of clearing without surgical intervention is very low. Therefore, there is very little benefit in delaying the surgical treatment past 9 months of age.

How is a tear duct obstruction surgically treated?

A probing and irrigation procedure is recommended as the initial surgery to treat chronic tear duct obstruction that persists after 9 months of age. To be performed accurately and safely, this brief, outpatient procedure requires the use of general anesthesia. The success rate – the elimination of tearing and mucus in the eye – following the probing and irrigation procedure for tear duct obstruction is about 80% when performed before 14 months of age. For those children who failed a probing and irrigation or are treated at after 15 months of age, there are alternative treatments available including balloon dacryoplasty and the temporary insertion of a tube or stent.

Is all tearing a tear duct obstruction?

Not all tearing in infants is a tear duct obstruction. There are other serious causes of tearing. Infantile glaucoma and corneal problems (such as a scratch or foreign body) may also cause tearing. The symptoms of these problems include tearing, excessive light sensitivity, squinting or blinking, pain, and, in the case of infantile glaucoma, haziness or clouding of the cornea and increased corneal size.

Should I be worried about a tear duct obstruction?

Congenital tear duct obstruction is a very common problem in pediatric ophthalmology. Diagnosis of tear duct obstruction can be made by history and by complete ophthalmologic evaluation to separate this common problem from potentially more serious disorders. Tearing and discharge problems that persist after 9 months require pediatric ophthalmologic surgical intervention. Probing and irrigation is an extremely safe and effective method of treatment.

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