What Is Endoscopic Tear Duct Surgery?

Jun 21, 2022

Tear duct surgery may become necessary when your tear ducts are blocked and your tears do not drain effectively. This article introduces you to endoscopic tear duct surgery. Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about it.


What Are Tear Ducts?


The nasolacrimal ducts, also known as tears ducts, appear in the outer corner of your eye, closest to your nose. They are tunnel-like structures that form part of the drainage system, connecting your facial bones and nostrils and running beneath the skin.

 

Tears are continually released into your eyes by glands located inside your eyelids and on the white areas of your eyes. Every time you blink, the tears are pushed into the tear ducts. These ducts are then responsible for draining them away.


What Causes Tear Duct Blockage?


The exact causes of tear duct blockage are not known yet, but they may include reasons such as:

 

●    Congenital anatomical issues

●    Chronic sinusitis that causes constant inflammation of the area

●    Narrowing of or complete blockage of the passage by tumors or polyps

●    Conjunctivitis

●    Injury to the nose

 

Remember, not everyone whose tear ducts are blocked requires tear duct surgery. Initially, your doctor might suggest non-invasive and conservative methods such as applying a warm compress, massages, and antibiotics (if an infection is causing the blockage). Only when these methods don’t work effectively does a person need to consider surgery.


The Two Types of Tear Duct Surgery


Tear duct surgery, or dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), can be performed endoscopically (minimally invasive procedure) and externally. This will be decided based on your preferences and the doctor’s expert opinion after reviewing your CT scan and MRI reports.


Endoscopic DCR

During this procedure, your surgeon will bypass the tear duct by establishing a new passage straight from the lacrimal sac to the nasal cavity. The surgeon does this by cutting a hole in the bone that overlies the lacrimal sac while working via the nasal canal under endoscopic vision.

 

The lacrimal sac and your nasal cavities subsequently become connected. To keep the new tear duct open, the surgeon inserts a tiny tube at the place of the incision. No sutures are necessary after an endoscopic DCR.


External DCR

Under this method, your surgeon makes a passage from the lacrimal sac to the nasal cavity from the outside. They do this by approaching the area through an incision made in the space beneath your eye and near your nose.

 

Then, the surgeon makes a tiny hole in the bone beneath the skin using this incision. The lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity are then connected through this aperture, and a tiny tube is left in place to help keep the new tear duct open. The incision will then be closed using sutures. Bear in mind that this method does leave a physical scar.

 

Post-surgery, you will require close follow-up care with your surgeon to ensure your surgical site heals well.

 

 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a blocked tear duct—such as excessive tearing—and would like to discuss it with an expert, contact Dr. Eric F. Succar, MD. Dr. Succar is a board-certified otolaryngologist (ENT) who practices adult and pediatric ENT specializing in complex sinus, nasal, and skull base disorders. You can visit his clinic in Waterford, MI (Oakland County). He also treats patients from Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Pontiac, and Troy, MI. You can reach him at (248) 254-8900 or contact him online.
 

A woman suffering from facial pains due to sinusitis

What are the Signs of Complicated Sinusitis?

17 Jul, 2023
Are you suffering from facial pain and increasingly severe headaches? If the answer is yes, it is likely that you have sinusitis. Sinusitis is no joke, but how can you tell if it's the simple kind or the complicated kind? Read on to learn the key signs to watch out for when dealing with complicated sinusitis.
An illustration of a doctor with a folded arm

Do You Need Sinus Surgery in Troy, MI? See a Rhinologist Near You.

13 Mar, 2023
This article will give you a snapshot of what a rhinologist in Troy, Michigan does. A rhinologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sinus problems, so we hope that by providing you with an overview of a rhinologist, such as Dr. Eric Succar, MD, will help you find the right specialist for your sinus infections.
A man sneezing in his elbow

Can Chronic Sinusitis Cause Polyps?

08 Dec, 2022
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the spaces inside your head and nose (sinuses) are inflamed and swollen for three months or longer, despite treatment. Your nose becomes congested due to this widespread disorder, which disrupts the natural drainage of mucus. The area surrounding your eyes may feel swollen or irritated, and breathing through your nose might be challenging. Nasal polyps, an infection, a swelling of the sinus lining, or any of these factors can cause chronic sinusitis. The illness, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis, can affect both adults and children.
A young woman suffering from fall allergies blowing her nose with a tissue

Why Are My Sinus Issues Worse in the Fall?

09 Nov, 2022
Many people observe that their sinus problems worsen in the fall. But why is that? It has to do with seasonal changes, which affect both allergies and the body in general. Luckily, there are ways such as this can easily be treated, providing you with relief so you can get back to your regular routine. Read on for more information about how seasonal changes can affect you and how you can quickly treat your symptoms to feel better.
Woman with a tissue on her nose and is suffering from sinus problems

This May Be the Reason Why You Have Sinus Problems

06 Oct, 2022
Sinusitis is more likely to affect persons with nasal allergies, nasal polyps, asthma, or atypical nose structures. Additionally, smoking can increase the frequency of sinus infections.
boy-blowing-the-out-the-flower

5 Tips to Beat Your Summer Allergies

23 Aug, 2022
With summer in full swing and fall just around the corner, seasonal allergies have been flaring up. While not the most pleasant of experiences, there are ways to get around what triggers your allergies so that you can enjoy your summer. Read on for five tips on how to do just that, and how to get the most out of the sunny season.
Young-woman-suffering-from-sinusistis

When Do You Need Frontal Sinus Surgery?

28 Jul, 2022
Frontal sinus surgery is an endoscopic surgery aiming to eradicate any blockages in your sinuses while ensuring that no structural damage occurs to your frontal sinuses. When medications, therapies, and other non-invasive treatments for frontal sinusitis have grown ineffective, a doctor would recommend frontal sinus surgery. You might need to undergo this surgery.
A woman holding her nose in pain due to nasal polyps

How Do You Get Rid of Nasal Polyps?

03 Jun, 2022
Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages. They may be caused by frequent infections, allergies, immunological diseases, and aspirin sensitivity. Small nasal polyps may not be noticeable at first and barely cause any symptoms. However, larger clusters of nasal polyps can obstruct nasal passages and cause breathing difficulties. Nasal polyps can affect people of all age groups, although adults are more susceptible to them.
A young girl blowing her nose due to allergy.

What Are the Differences between Allergies and Covid-19?

02 May, 2022
Given the present-day pandemic, the slightest hint of a sore throat or a runny nose can send you into fits of panic. But if you’ve had allergies for a long time, your symptoms could simply mean that your allergies are aggravated. How do you distinguish between allergies and COVID-19 when they share common symptoms? This article highlights the key differences between them. Keep reading to know more!
Man having nasal problems blowing his nose on a tissue

How Is Nasal Congestion Treated?

04 Apr, 2022
Nasal congestion occurs when the blood vessels and mucous membranes in your sinuses and nasal passages swell with excess fluid. Allergies, colds, flu, infections, and sinusitis can trigger nasal congestion.
More Posts
Share by: