The most common symptom of acquired tear duct obstruction is watering of the eye. Watering may initially be more pronounced in cold weather, windy weather. However, as the degree of obstruction increases, continuous eye watering occurs, almost as the person wipes his/her eyes with a handkerchief. As the eye watering continues, it prepares the ground for infection and can cause serious complications by causing inflammation in the lacrimal sac where the obstruction is located and abscess development in advanced pictures. In most cases, there is a history of using antibiotic eye drops as a result of previous examination. It should be noted that the cause of tear duct obstruction is mechanical and the drops do not open this blockage. Although the symptoms seem to improve somewhat as the drops are used, the complaints recur as the main problem persists when the drops are discontinued, and besides, complaints may occur due to unnecessary antibiotic use. Lacrimal duct obstruction is more common in women than men. This is because women’s tear ducts are narrower than men’s. Lacrimal duct obstruction often has no obvious cause. Reasons such as eating, drinking and using make-up products are often not the main reason. However, some cancer drugs, some ophthalmic drugs, systemic skin diseases can cause this picture. In addition, trauma and beatings on the tear ducts, such as traffic accidents, are an important cause in Turkey. The treatment in these cases is surgery. Surgical treatment options are quite numerous. The tear ducts start from the eyelids and are a path consisting of 1-4 mm thick tubes and sacs extending to our nasal cavity. The type of treatment varies according to the location and degree of obstruction in these pathways. In most cases, tear duct obstruction can be treated with endoscopic imaging methods by entering through the nose with seamless methods without making any incisions in the skin. However, the success of the surgery depends on the detailed eye and nose examination to be performed by an experienced oculoplastic surgeon.
Dr. The 3 most frequently asked questions to Onur Konuk about Acquired tear duct occlusion and Endoscopic surgery
1. How many days will I be back from work in tear duct obstruction surgery?
The recovery process after surgery varies according to the type of surgery. This period is an average of 7-10 days for external skin incision and sutured surgery. This period is approximately 2-3 days in the surgery performed through the nose with the endoscopic method. However, it is recommended to rest for 1 week in all kinds of surgery, unless it is mandatory.
2. How is the anesthesia of the lacrimal sac surgery?
Tear sac surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Both anesthesia methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of local anesthesia is that it can be operated without drug administration to other organs due to eye disease, and there is no awakening time caused by anesthesia. In addition, some sensitive patients may be uncomfortable with the feeling of being awake during the surgery. The advantage of general anesthesia is that patients do not experience any surgical process as they sleep during the operation. On the other hand, they experience the awakening process due to anesthesia.
3. How do my other existing ailments, diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease affect the lacrimal sac surgery?
Keeping existing diseases under control is important for the success of the surgery and general anesthesia to be used in the surgery. Regular use of drugs is necessary. The use of blood thinners such as aspirin and Kumadin is inconvenient as it will increase the amount of bleeding during the surgery. For this reason, such drugs should be discontinued at least 10 days before the surgery in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations.