Dacryocystitis - Medtick
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Dacryocystitis

What is it?

An infection in the tear drainage system that can  lead to a long term eye infection.

  • Tears are made by a small organ above the eye under the upper lid.
  • At the inner corner of each upper and lower eyelid is an opening to a small tube (drainage canal).
  • The drainage canals carry away tears that have rinsed the front surface of the eye away so fresh tears can come in.
  • The drainage canals empty into tear sacs, one for each eye.
  • The tear sacs sit at the top of the tear duct.
  • Tears move through the sac into the duct and then are dumped into your nose.
  • Tears spill out of the eyes and into the back of your nose when you cry, although the tears entering the nose are not visible.
  • That’s why you get a runny nose when you cry.
  • The tear drainage system can get infected if it becomes blocked and bacteria collect in the ducts or the lacrimal sac.
  • A blockage near the nose also can cause excessive tearing from the eye.

Harvard health publications

Do not attempt to apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to the eye or the area around the eye, since over-the-counter ointments are not made for use IN the eye and could have irritating ingredients.

Cause

  • Infants: Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct (Infants with this problem have a narrower drainage passageway that will widen with time as they grow. normally by one years old)
  • Adults : Tear ducts have become abnormally narrowed by continued growth of surrounding bone.
  • Nasal injury
  • Broken nose
  • Nasal polyps

Syndromes

  • Waardenburg syndrome – [hearing loss this syndrome can cause eye problems and abnormalities in the pigment (colour) of the hair and eyes]

Symptoms

  • Pain, redness and swelling of the lower eyelid at the inner corner of the eye?
  • Excessive tearing?
  • Pus or discharge from the eye?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Dacryocystitis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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