Tear Duct Repair in Las Vegas

What Is a Blocked Tear Duct?

A blocked tear duct, also known as a nasolacrimal duct obstruction, prevents tears from properly draining from the eye into the nose. As a result, tears may collect in the eye and overflow onto the cheek. This excessive tearing is medically known as epiphora.

A blockage can affect one or both eyes and may be partial or complete. Because tears and bacteria can become trapped inside the lacrimal sac, an untreated blockage may also lead to painful infections.

Symptoms of a Blocked Tear Duct

The most common symptom is persistent or unpredictable tearing. Other symptoms may include:

• Tears repeatedly running down the face
• Blurry vision caused by excess tears
• Mucus or discharge around the eye
• Crusting along the eyelashes
• Redness or irritation
• Tenderness near the inner corner of the eye
• Swelling beside the nose
• Recurrent eye or tear-sac infections

Excessive tearing can have several causes, including dry eye, eyelid abnormalities, allergies, and eye-surface irritation. A complete evaluation is important to determine whether the tear drainage system is responsible.

What Causes a Blocked Tear Duct?

Tear duct obstruction can develop for many reasons, including:

• Age-related narrowing of the tear drainage passages
• Anatomical abnormalities
• Chronic inflammation or infection
• Previous facial, nasal, or sinus surgery
• Trauma involving the eyelid, nose, or surrounding bones
• Scarring within the drainage system
• Certain medications or medical treatments
• Nasal or sinus conditions
• Rarely, a tumor affecting the tear drainage pathway

In some patients, no single cause can be identified.

How Is a Blocked Tear Duct Diagnosed?

During your consultation, your oculoplastic surgeon will review your symptoms and carefully examine your eyelids, eyes, and tear drainage openings.

Several in-office tests may be used to determine whether a blockage is present and where it is located. These may include:

Tear Drainage Irrigation

A small amount of sterile fluid is gently passed through the tear drainage system. The way the fluid flows—or fails to flow—can help identify an obstruction.

Probing

A thin instrument may be carefully inserted into the tear drainage passage to evaluate narrowing or blockage.

Dye Testing

A special eye-safe dye may be placed on the surface of the eye to measure how efficiently tears drain.

Additional imaging or nasal evaluation may be recommended when the cause or location of the obstruction is unclear.

What Is Tear Duct Repair?

Tear duct repair refers to procedures used to restore normal tear drainage. The appropriate treatment depends on the location and severity of the blockage, its underlying cause, and whether previous treatments have been attempted.

In adults with a significant nasolacrimal duct obstruction, a procedure called dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR, is commonly performed. DCR creates a new drainage pathway between the lacrimal sac and the inside of the nose, allowing tears to bypass the blocked portion of the original duct.

Other treatments may include opening a narrowed punctum, repairing an injured canaliculus, or placing a temporary silicone tube to keep the drainage pathway open.

Endoscopic Tear Duct Repair

In selected cases, DCR can be performed endoscopically through the inside of the nose. An endoscope is a slender instrument equipped with a small camera that allows the surgeon to reach the tear drainage system without making an external skin incision.

Potential benefits of endoscopic tear duct repair include:

• No visible facial incision
• No external skin scar
• Direct access through the nasal passage
• Treatment tailored to the location of the obstruction

Not every blockage can or should be treated endoscopically. Traditional external DCR remains an effective option for many patients. Your oculoplastic surgeon will explain which approach is most appropriate for your anatomy and condition. The American Academy of Ophthalmology identifies DCR as the surgery commonly used for adult blocked tear ducts.