BLOCKED TEAR DUCTS
Tears normally drain through small openings in the corner of the upper and lower eyelids called puncta, through the canaliculus to the lacrimal sac and then via the nasolacrimal duct which opens into the nose.
Blockage of the tear ducts can occur at any point along the tear drainage pathway from the eye to the nose. The stagnant tears within the duct promote overgrowth of bacteria and other germs, and this may result in severe infection (canaliculitis or dacryocystitis).
Causes
Blocked tear ducts can be inborn (congenital) or may develop later in life (acquired).
Blocked tear ducts are common in newborns. The tear drainage system may not be fully developed at birth. A thin membrane or layer often remains at the junction between the duct and the nose. This may open spontaneously during the first few months of life.
Blocked tear ducts that develop later in life (acquired) are commonly located at the level of the nasolacrimal duct. This may be caused by:
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Inflammation
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Infection
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Trauma or injuries
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Growth or tumours (cancers)
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Certain medications (chemotherapy drugs)
Symptoms of Blocked Tear Ducts
Patients with blocked tear ducts may experience one or more of the following symptoms :
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Tearing
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Persistent discharge from the eye
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Intermittent blurred vision
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Eye redness
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Swelling or infection of the surrounding eyelid area
Diagnosing Blocked Tear Ducts
If you have some of the symptoms listed above, our specialist will ascertain if the tear duct is blocked by performing a simple clinic procedure called syringing. During syringing, fluid is irrigated through the tear duct system into the nose to assess for patency and the level of the blockage.
In certain situations, further specialised tests and CT scans may be required to find the cause of the blockage (eg growths or tumours).
Treatment
Tearing in newborns may resolve just by massaging the tear ducts alone. Failing which, our specialist may recommend a surgical procedure called probing to open up the tear passage.
In adults, tear duct blockage may require surgical correction if tearing is excessive or if frequent infections occurs. The type of surgery will depend on the location of tear duct blockage.
One surgery that is often used to treat blocked tear ducts (nasolacrimal duct obstruction) is called dacryocystorhinostomy. This surgery can be performed through the skin or though the nose (scarless).