TEARING PROBLEMS (LACRIMAL/DCR)

• Description of Procedure

Tearing Problems (Lacrimal / DCR Surgery):

Excess tearing in adults may be caused by poor tear drainage, overproduction of tears, dry eyes or secondary to abnormal eyelid position.

By lubricating the eyes, tears play a vital role in maintaining the health of the eye. When the eye is irritated, excess tears are produced. People are not always aware of the eye irritation, but instead may notice the overproduction of tears.

Tears normally drain into small openings located in the inside corner of the upper and lower eyelids. The tears then collect in the tear sac. The tear sac lies under the skin between the corner of the eye and the nose. Next, the tears flow through a small tube, called the nasolacrimal duct, into the nose. The tears are pumped through this drainage system by the opening and closing of the eyelids.

A blockage in any part of this drainage system can prevent tear drainage and lead to excess tears running down the cheek. It is very important to properly diagnose which part of the tear drainage system is blocked in order to determine the proper treatment. A harmless orange dye will be placed in the eye in order to see if the tears drain normally. The doctor then will attempt to flush water through the nasolacrimal duct into the nose in order to determine if the nasolacrimal duct is open.

In some patients, excess tearing is caused by several different causes. Patients may have a partial blockage of the tear drainage system, poor pumping of tears because of eyelid weakness or excess tear production due to eye irritation.

For more information on Tampa Tearing Problems, contact Dr. Mack's office at 813-875-LIDS or schedule a consultation today.