Tear Duct Treatment

About Tear Duct treatment

Watery eyes or recurring eye infections may indicate issues with tear ducts and may require tear duct treatment. This can occur due to the failure of the tear-drainage system in adequately draining the tears from the eye into the nose, increased tear production or impaired outflow of tears.

Causes

In many cases, a watery eye occurs as a result of a poorly functioning tear drainage system or a blocked tear duct. It can also happen because there is a narrow or misplaced tear drainage opening (punctum), or because the eyelids have become lax, which has resulted in the failure of the normal tear drainage pump.

Symptoms

Excessive tearing.
Redness of the white part of the eye.
Recurrent eye infection or inflammation (pink eye)
Painful swelling near the inside corner of the eye.
Crusting of the eyelids.
Discharge from the lids and surface of the eye.

Tear duct treatment, known medically as Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), which is an operation to form a new tear drain between your eye and nose when there has been a blockage.
During DCR, your tear drainage passages are opened so the tears can drain into the nose. There are two approaches to DCR surgery: external DCR and endoscopic DCR. In both surgical techniques, a narrow silicone tube is placed internally, positioned in the newly created passage to avoid blockage. The silicone tube is removed in the clinic several weeks later.

Transcanalicular Laser-Assisted Endoscopic DCR

TLE DCR is a minimally invasive technique that offers numerous benefits, including quicker recovery, less risk of bleeding and infection, minimal scarring, and a significantly enhanced patient experience. It is a minimally invasive, laser-assisted procedure performed through the natural orifice, eliminating the need for a skin incision. It is particularly suitable for patients concerned with external scarring, those who have bleeding disorders or must remain on anticoagulation medication.

External DCR

The operation takes place through a 10- 15mm incision in the side of your nose, where a pair of glasses would rest. This heals up very quickly and is rarely visible when healing is complete in most people. As part of the procedure, a narrow silicone tube is positioned internally to ensure that the newly made passage remains open during the healing phase. The silicone tube is removed in clinic several weeks later.

Endoscopic DCR

Endoscopic DCR is a minimally invasive procedure to unblock tear ducts. The operation is similar to external DCR, except there is no cut through the skin and no scar afterwards. Access is through your nose, using a small thin camera (endoscope). As with all DCR surgery, a narrow silicone tube is placed internally, positioned in the newly created passage to avoid blockage. The silicone tube is removed in the clinic several weeks later.

Tear Duct treatment Specialists

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Dubai
Abu Dhabi

Dr. Qasiem Nasser

Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Oculoplastic Surgery

Dr. Qasiem Nasser has dual Fellowship training in Oculoplastic Surgery and Cornea, Cataract and Anterior Segment Surgery. His area of expertise is in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, including surgery on the eyelids, the orbit, and the tear drainage system for adults and children. In addition, he is also a specialist in Laser Assisted Cataract and Refractive Surgery, including LASIK, LASEK, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) and Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) for Keratoconus. Dr. Nasser grew up in Amman, Jordan. He attended medical school at The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, after which he completed his Residency in Ophthalmology at The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin. He then moved to the United States, where he completed a 2-year Ophthalmic Plastic and Orbital Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Texas Oculoplastic Consultants in Austin. Dr. Nasser then persuaded another Fellowship in Cornea, Cataract and Anterior Segment Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. He is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in London and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. Dr. Nasser has been an active researcher and has published many manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, he has given lectures at national and international meetings, including The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the World Ophthalmology Congress.

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Dr. Khalid Alkhayat

Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Oculoplastic Surgery

Dr. Khalid Alkhayat is a Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialised in Oculoplastics at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. He is a German Board Certified Ophthalmologist (Fachartz) and Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO) since 2017. Dr. Alkhayat has over 12 years of combined regional and international experience in Oculoplasty in countries including the UAE, Ireland and Germany. During his career, he has practiced in leading medical institutions such as the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Bruder Krankenhausin Trier, Germany, Gulf Medical University in Ajman, UAE, Dubai Hospital, UAE, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, UAE and Al Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is also a member of Emirates Society of Ophthalmology (ESO).

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Dr. Rafic Antonios

Specialist Oculoplastic Surgeon

Dr. Rafic Antonios is a fellowship-trained Oculoplastic surgeon with expertise in reconstructive and cosmetic eye procedures involving the periocular area and pathologies involving the eyelid (Blepharoplasty), orbit, and lacrimal system at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. He holds a Bachelor of Science (2008) with distinction and a Medical Degree (2012) from the American University of Beirut. He finished his ophthalmology residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in (2017) with induction to the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) – Honor Medical Society before pursuing a fellowship in Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgery and an additional fellowship in craniomaxillofacial trauma at the University of Montreal, Canada (2019). He has over five years of regional and international experience in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery in Canada and Lebanon. Dr. Rafic has practised in leading medical institutions such as Saint Justine Children's Hospital, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Sacre-Coeur Hospital in Canada, and the Beirut Eye & ENT Specialist Hospital in Lebanon. He has 28 publications in his field in peer-reviewed journals and several posters and presentations at national and international conferences. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society and the Lebanese Society of Ophthalmology (LOS).

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