Tear occlusion can occur in the initial part of the excretory system or anywhere in the system.
In adult patients, the most obstructed part is seen in the tubular system between the tear sac and the nose.
It is popularly known as tear vascular occlusion. The most prominent complaint in tear drainage duct is watering.
When the pouch area is pressed, the infected secretion may drain towards the eye.
With channel occlusion, the risk of infection increases. If there is a complaint of redness, swelling and pain at the level of the root of the nose where the tear sac is located, there is an infection.
In this case, it is necessary to give drug treatment before it is too late. Otherwise, the infection may spread to the area where the eye socket is. The patient's vision may be compromised.
Treatment of lacrimal duct obstruction varies according to the site of obstruction of the duct. Specially prepared silicone materials are applied to widen the canal in the obstructions at the entrance of the canal in the eyelids.
These hole-in-the-middle silicone plugs are removed after three months and the canal can be opened in this way. Apart from silicone plugs, tear duct obstructions at the entrance of the canal can be opened with surgery
In cases of obstruction after lacrimal sac, surgery is required. These operations can be performed through the skin (external dacryocystorhinostomy) from the eyelid and the root of the nose, or through the nose (endoscopically) and laser.
Among these methods, the method that is accepted as the gold standard and has the highest surgical success is the external dacryocystorhinostomy surgery performed through the skin.
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery is not suitable for every patient. It is applied according to the examination of the inside of the nose and the determination of the level of duct obstruction.
Its success is not as high as external dacryocystorhinostomy. Surgical success of dacryocystorhinostomy surgery performed by laser is lower than other methods.
The treatment applied in canal occlusion is surgery. The procedure can be done endoscopically via the skin (external) or nasal route.
The success of surgical treatment performed through the skin is over 95% in experienced hands.
How Long Does Tear Duct Occlusion Surgery Take?
Tear duct occlusion surgery is a very elaborate operation especially performed in adults. Because it is necessary to create a new channel that opens the tear duct to the nose.
Therefore, since we have to reconstruct the bone window and make a new opening, the operation time is approximately 1 hour.
What are the Causes of Tear Duct Occlusion?
The causes of tear duct obstruction are congenital in children. There is a membranous blockage in the part where the tear duct opens to the nose. It may depend on this.
Adults' congestion can be seen as a result of infections in the conjunctival sac or the arrival of infectious agents at the bottom of the eyelashes to the lacrimal sac and tear ducts, and the formation of adhesions in this tubular system first.
How Is Tear Duct Obstruction Diagnosed?
Clinically, tears flow outward in patients with duct obstruction. The patient complains a lot about it. Because this situation makes daily life completely difficult.
While reading a book, walking outside, watching television, the patient needs to constantly wipe because tears flow outward.
The first diagnosis clinically already suggests that the patient has tear occlusion with outflow of tears.
Second, as a laboratory, we perform a lavage test to determine whether the patient has clinically blocked tear duct. Here, liquid is given to the tear ducts during lavage.
If the fluid does not pass into the nose or throat, then we can decide that the duct is blocked. When we lavage the tear ducts, we clinically understand that the duct is clogged if the liquid does not pass into the nose and comes back.
Apart from this, radiological tests can be performed as a laboratory.
If there is an obstruction in lacrimal ducts, we need more detailed radiological studies as to why it is blocked or another reason, whether it is due to the tumor mass, whether there is a tumoral formation in the tear ducts.
What Is It Like After Tear Duct Occlusion Surgery?
In adults, after tear duct occlusion surgery, it may be a little painful due to the opening made in the bone window.
On the first day, there may be edema, swelling and pain in that area. Healing can usually be achieved within a week.
