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A-Z Glossary

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Dacryostenosis

Written byDanielle 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

  • Updated May 13, 2022

What is Dacryostenosis?

Dacryostenosis or nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), is inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct (tear sac), 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 is generally treated with a warm compress but can require surgery or other medical interventions if dacryostenosis is due to underlying issues.²

Key Takeaways

  • 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 due to other diseases, injuries or medications. 
  • Treating dacryostenosis typically involves a warm compress and manual expression of the ducts through light massage. Some chronic cases require surgery to expand the ducts.

Understanding Dacryostenosis

Dacryostenosis is a condition of the nasolacrimal duct, part of the lacrimal gland system.³ Often, the cause of dacryostenosis is unknown (idiopathic).³ Adults can acquire dacryostenosis from other diseases, trauma or chemotherapy, and radiation.³ Some researchers suggest that a narrow lacrimal duct or infection in the conjunctiva can lead to dacryostenosis.³

Dacryostenosis in infants is referred to as congenital dacryostenosis.⁴ Lack of nasolacrimal duct development leads to congenital dacryostenosis.⁴ Symptoms often develop after two weeks of age and resolve by 6-9 months old.⁴

Treatment Options for Dacryostenosis

Depending on the underlying cause, doctors may take different approaches to treat dacryostenosis. 

In congenital dacryostenosis, caregivers can apply a warm compress and gentle massage to the infant’s lacrimal sac a few times per day to express the ducts.⁴ Caregivers should apply moderate 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, in which case a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.⁴ If a child is still experiencing clogged ducts after their first birthday, an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) may probe the duct to enlarge it and allow normal tear flow.⁴

For acquired dacryostenosis, doctors will typically try to treat the underlying cause (other diseases, injuries, or medications).² If that course of treatment is not possible or does not alleviate symptoms, an eye doctor can perform various surgeries, including dacryocystoplasty and dacryocystorhinostomy.³ 

Dacryocystoplasty is minimally invasive and uses a balloon to insert a stent to open the lacrimal duct.³ A 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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Epiretinal Membrane

is fibrous tissue (scar tissue) that forms on the top of the retina.

Anterior Chamber

is located between the iris and the innermost corneal surface. It is filled with fluid called aqueous humor.

Canaliculitis

is a disease of the lacrimal canaliculus, which is a small duct in the eyelid.

Blepharochalasis

Occurs when the eyelids suddenly become inflamed and swell.

20/20 Vision

is a term used to describe good visual acuity (clarity) when measured from about 20 feet away.

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