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A-Z Glossary

Table of Contents

Dacryostenosis

Danielle Stoken
Written byDanielle Stoken
Danielle Stoken
Danielle StokenEye Health & Wellness ContributorPittsburgh, PA

Bio

I was so excited when I learned about CorneaCare and am honored to share content, tips and stories about dry eye! I am a certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative nutrition so the intersection of nutrition/lifestyle and dry eye disease is one that I am particularly passionate about. Since recently becoming a mom, I care even more about my eye care and self-care and am learning so much through CorneaCare's educational resources.

Get to know me a little better!

Hobby: baking sourdough bread
Food: pasta
Superhero: my dad
Guilty pleasure: cold brew coffee (really, any coffee)
Secret power: serious facial recognition/recollection

Training:

Undergraduate: Carnegie Mellon University
Nutrition training: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

  • Last updated December 13, 2022

What is Dacryostenosis?

Dacryostenosis or nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), is inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct (tear sac). It is mainly due to poor tear drainage.1 Dacryostenosis can be congenital, idiopathic, or acquired.

Often referred to as a blocked tear duct, dacryostenosis causes excess tearing and yellow discharge in the eye.² It can be treated with a warm compress. In some cases, it may require surgery or other medical treatment to resolve underlying issues.2

Key Points

  • Dacryostenosis occurs because of poor drainage of the tear ducts. 
  • Dacryostenosis can be congenital (occurs in infants), idiopathic (no known cause) or acquired in adulthood. 
  • Treatment often involves a warm compress and manual expression of the ducts through light massage. In chronic cases, surgery may be required to expand the ducts.
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Understanding Dacryostenosis

Dacryostenosis is a condition of the nasolacrimal duct, which is part of the lacrimal gland system. Often, the cause is unknown (idiopathic).3

Adults can acquire dacryostenosis from other diseases, trauma, chemotherapy, or radiation. Some research suggests that a narrow lacrimal duct or infection in the conjunctiva can be the cause.3

When the condition occurs in infants, it is referred to as congenital dacryostenosis. It is caused by a lack of nasolacrimal duct development. The symptoms often develop in infants around two weeks of age and resolve after 6-9 months.4

Treatment Options

Depending on the cause, your eye doctor will take a different approach to treat dacryostenosis. 

If your infant has congenital dacryostenosis, then you can apply a warm compress and gently massage their lacrimal sac a few times per day to express the ducts.4 Your eye doctor will show you how to apply pressure over the lacrimal sac in the corner of the eye in a downward direction.3

In rare cases, a blocked duct may lead to an eye infection. Hence, your child’s eye doctor may give antibiotics. Additionally, if your child’s ducts remain clogged after their first birthday, your doctor may probe the duct to enlarge it so that normal tear flow is possible.4

For acquired dacryostenosis, your eye doctor will first try to treat the primary cause. This may be other diseases, injuries, or medications.2 If treatment is not possible or fails to relieve symptoms, your eye doctor may perform surgery. For instance, this may include dacryocystoplasty or dacryocystorhinostomy.3

Dacryocystoplasty is minimally invasive and uses a balloon to insert a stent to open the duct. However, dacryocystorhinostomy involves removing part of the lacrimal bone to create space between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity.3

Bibliography

  1. “Eye Terminology for Eye Technicians.” Allergan TechAlliance, https://www.allergantechalliance.com/Eye-Conditions/EyeCare-Terminology. Accessed 19 April 2022.
  2. Garrity, James. “Dacryostenosis – Eye Disorders.” Merck Manuals, https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/eyelid-and-lacrimal-disorders/dacryostenosis. Accessed 19 April 2022.
  3. Patel, Bhupendra CK. “Dacryostenosis – StatPearls.” NCBI, 2 November 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563132/. Accessed 19 April 2022.
  4. “Blocked Tear Duct (Dacryostenosis) in Children – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center.” URMC, https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=90&contentid=p02081. Accessed 19 April 2022.

Related Terms

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Esotropia

is an eye misalignment where one eye is turned inward. The turn may be constant or intermittent

Dacryocystitis

is inflammation of the lacrimal sac due to blockage

Laser Photocoagulation

is a treatment for several retinal diseases, most commonly, proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Goldmann Visual Field

tests an individual’s complete field of vision

Aqueous Humor

is the fluid that fills up the front of the eye. It is a clear fluid that keeps the eye nourished and inflated

Foveola

is a small zone in the eye responsible for sharp central vision, such as reading and driving. It also allows us to see colors

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