Lacrimal Duct Repair

The problem of a tear duct obstruction is a problem that many people may experience, but it is often more common in newborns. Often, the solution to the problem of blockage of the tear duct is the surgical procedure to fix the dysfunction of the tear drainage system by opening the tear duct either in the traditional way or using laser beams.

The function of tears is to keep the eyes moist, in addition to the secretion of tears in cases of irritation or exposure to external influences affecting them. the lacrimal glands located in the upper eyelid of the eye excrete the tears through small ducts to the openings located at the upper and lower eyelid angle to be drained in the lacrimal sac under the skin between the corner of the eye and nose, and then the tears are drained through the nasal lacrimal duct open in the nose.

The treatment in Jordan takes approximately 3 days.

The ophthalmologist may resort to the tear duct repair in the following cases:

• Congenital blocked tear ducts in children.
• Continuous eye tearing and redness.
• Abnormal secretions with tears.

The ophthalmologist performs a series of diagnostic tests to check for an obstruction in the lacrimal duct, including:

• Eye and tear duct examination.
• Eye CT scan.
• Eye MRI imaging.
• Eye X-rays imaging.

Although the surgery of opening the tear duct is a simple and safe surgical procedure, but some complications may accompany some patients after and during the operation, including:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Permanent scarring at the site of surgery.
• Dislocation of the stent planted in the tear duct may from its place.

The ophthalmologist asks the patient if he is an adult to refrain from taking blood-thinners such as aspirin and others, as well as to stop smoking for about two weeks before the surgery to improve the chances of recovery.

The patient begins fasting of food and drink since the middle of the night before the tear duct surgery. During the tear duct surgery, the surgeon performs the following steps:

1. Local anesthetizing the surgery site from inside the nose, in addition to injecting the skin near the tear duct with local anesthetic. The patient may be given intravenous sedative to maintain his comfort and relaxation.
2. Making a small incision down the eye next to the nose.
3. Removing of the existing tissue and make a hole in the bone (by laser); to make a new channel between the lacrimal sac and the nose. Sometimes a stent is installed to keep the duct open.
4. Closing the incision.

The patient can return home the same day after surgery, the eye surgeon describes some pain medication and antibiotic drops to avoid any infection and possible inflammations, in addition to some medications to help relieve congestion.

During the first few days after the surgery, the patient may feel swollen and bruised around the nose and eye near the incision. With regard to the stent which were placed to keep the tear duct open, it will be removed after few months at the eye surgeon's clinic.