About
Watery eyes is a very common problem which occurs due to the failure of the tear-drainage system in adequately draining the tears from the eye into the nose. A watery eye can be a result of either an increase in tear production or impaired outflow of tears – and often both can coexist.
Causes
In many cases a watery eye occurs as a result of 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.
Treatment
Dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery 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 that 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 clinic several weeks later.
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 very 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 clinic several weeks later.
