home Folk remedies Rinsing the nasolacrimal canal. Doctor Komarovsky about massage of the lacrimal canal in newborns

Rinsing the nasolacrimal canal. Doctor Komarovsky about massage of the lacrimal canal in newborns

Treatment of dacryocystitis in adults and children varies greatly. While newborns only need to massage the lacrimal canal, this treatment method helps older children and adults much less often. Accordingly, doctors resort to surgical intervention.

In this article we will describe all the main methods of treating dacryocystitis in adults, or rather, we will talk about all operations for blockage of the lacrimal canal, including bougienage, dacryocystorhinostomy and dacryocystoplasty. We will also talk about when it is possible to use massage as a treatment and about some folk methods.

Dacryocystitis is an infectious and inflammatory disease. It develops as a result of blockage of the lacrimal canal, or its anatomical narrowing. In this case, there is no outflow of tear fluid to the lacrimal canals. Such stagnation leads to the accumulation of fluid in the lacrimal sac, resulting in its infection, leading to an inflammatory process. Dacryocystitis is most often diagnosed in adults aged 30 to 60 years, especially in women (which is associated with the anatomy female body: their nose tear ducts much narrower than men). With dacryocystitis appears profuse lacrimation, the lacrimal sac becomes swollen, the palpebral fissure narrows, and when pressure is applied in the area of the lacrimal sac, pus is released.

We talked very briefly about what dacryocystitis is. Further in our article we'll talk about dacryocystitis in adults, namely about its treatment. Because this disease is particularly dangerous, it can lead to serious complications, up to fatal outcome. In addition, the process of development of the disease from simple inflammation to purulent form quite quickly.

Treatment of tear duct obstruction in adults

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the presence of this disease. To do this, you need to consult an ophthalmologist. Through examination, the doctor will be able to identify the disease, determine the degree of obstruction of the fluid of the lacrimal drainage system, its localization (after all, without an examination it is difficult to determine exactly where the narrowing of the lacrimal canal occurred). Based on the results of all actions, the specialist will prescribe the necessary treatment.

Dacryocystitis in adults is usually treated with surgery. The choice of surgery depends on the severity of the disease. At mild form diseases, it is also possible to use massage. Let's look at all types of treatment.

Acute dacryocystitis

Acute dacryocystitis has several treatment methods, including bougienage and some other procedures.

Bougienage

Bougienage of the tear duct

During bougienage, the doctor inserts a rigid probe into the lacrimal duct, with the help of which the patency of the nasolacrimal canal is restored. In addition, this procedure also includes washing the lacrimal canal, which is carried out with disinfectants and antibacterial agents.

Other procedures

When purulent inflammation (abscess) of the lacrimal sac forms, UHF therapy is prescribed, vitamins are prescribed, and dry heat is recommended to be applied to the affected area.

If these procedures do not lead to a positive result, then purulent inflammation are opened. After which the wound is treated antimicrobial agents(for example, hydrogen peroxide, furatsilin). To avoid the development of infection, the eyes are instilled with antibacterial drops (chloramphenicol, miramistin) or antibacterial ointments (tetracycline, erythromycin) are used.

In addition to all of the above, the patient is prescribed antibacterial treatment to exclude the development of infectious complications (for example, such as brain abscess, purulent form encephalitis).

Chronic dacryocystitis (advanced cases)

At running forms, especially when the patient is diagnosed with chronic dacryocystitis, it is used surgical treatment: dacryocystorhinostomy and dacryocystoplasty.

Dacryocystorhinostomy

This is a type of surgical intervention, after which a new connection is created between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity. Dacryocystorhinostomy, in turn, is divided into several types: traditional (an incision is made on the skin of the eyelid or through nasal cavity), endoscopic and laser (inside the nasal cavity). Let's look at them in a little more detail:

Traditional. This type surgical intervention is used quite rarely. Doctors recommend using it only in certain cases, for example, with a tumor of the lacrimal sac, Down syndrome and other exceptional situations.
Endoscopic. A thin flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is inserted into the tear duct. Subsequently, an incision is made in the blocked canal, which allows the creation of a new channel of communication between the tear duct and the nasal cavity. The positive aspect of this operation is the absence of visible seams or scars.
Laser. For such an intervention, an endoscope with a laser is used. A laser makes a hole in the nasal cavity, thus connecting it with the lacrimal sac. The advantages of laser dacryocystorhinostomy include the following: the time for the operation is reduced, as well as the duration of patient rehabilitation; the operation is accompanied by less bleeding; the patient experiences less pain; after surgery there are no visible defects left.

However, where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages: such an operation is more expensive (therefore, not all patients can afford it); the highest surgical skills are required.

Similar surgical intervention allows you to restore the patency of the tear duct without making incisions on the face. The essence of the method is as follows:

A thin conductor is inserted into the nasolacrimal duct, at the end of which an expanding balloon is attached.
The balloon is brought closer to the blocked area, after which it is filled with liquid.
As a result of filling, the balloon opens, which leads to expansion of the blocked area. After which the balloon is removed.
This operation is performed under local anesthesia, so it is difficult to call the procedure absolutely painless ( painful sensations present, but insignificant).

After balloon dacryocystoplasty, there are no scars or other defects, and patients can go home almost immediately. The patient is also prescribed antibiotics and antimicrobials. eye drops. Also to positive aspects It can be attributed to the fact that after the procedure the risk of complications is significantly reduced.

The patient is allergic to general anesthesia.
the patient does not want to undergo abdominal surgery.
the disease did not go away after dacryocystorhinostomy.

When can massage help?

If dacryocystitis has just begun to develop, then patients are offered conservative treatment methods, namely massotherapy lacrimal sac. Massage will help remove accumulated tear fluid. However, in severe forms of the disease, with extensive inflammatory processes massage is contraindicated.

Before starting the procedure, the eyes are instilled with antibacterial drops. Then, using movements (vibrating and spiral-shaped) with pressure (not too weak, but not too strong), you need to massage the nasolacrimal canal. If pus is released during the procedure, this will mean that the massage was performed correctly. Purulent discharge It is better to collect with cotton pads or tampons.

ethnoscience

Experts may recommend that patients do the following:

Warm up (using reflector lamps, cloth bags). It is advisable to perform the procedure several times a day.
Apply steamed bags of chamomile or a cotton swab dipped in a chamomile solution. It should be borne in mind that the infusion should be warm, but in no case hot.
Make compresses from calendula infusion.
Instill Kalanchoe juice into the nasal passage (the Kalanchoe juice must first be diluted with saline, since pure juice is very concentrated).
For lotions, use an infusion of calendula flowers, mint leaves, dill, oregano, eucalyptus and sage (all herbs should be taken in equal proportions).
Apply parsley compresses to the inflamed area.

Treatment forecasts

A positive treatment result when dacryocystitis is detected in adults depends on timely measures taken to combat the disease and strict adherence course prescribed by the doctor.

In most cases, treatment leads to positive results, but complications occasionally occur. To avoid negative consequences Patients are prohibited from using contact lenses, and most importantly, self-medicate. Deviation from the prescribed course of treatment can lead to deterioration of health, including loss of vision.

Did you know that newborns cry without tears? This happens because during the intrauterine period, the function of tears is taken over by the amniotic fluid, and the nasolacrimal duct itself is still at the stage of ripening.

However, after a few weeks after birth, the tear duct opens. But what if it is determined that the lacrimal canal is obstructed in newborns and what dangers are associated with this? Let's find out.

What is dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is a condition where tear drainage cannot occur naturally for various reasons, which causes the eye to become inflamed. The main reason Such inflammation is obstruction of the lacrimal canal. We will understand why this happens if we look at the anatomy of the eye.

The lacrimal gland produces tears in portions, which, washing the eye, flow to the inner corner, where the upper and lower lacrimal openings are located. Passing through them, the tear enters the lacrimal duct and then into the lacrimal sac. The journey then continues along the nasolacrimal duct directly into the nasal cavity.

During intrauterine development, the nasolacrimal duct is blocked by a gelatinous plug, or film, which prevents amniotic fluid to get in Airways, as well as into the visual apparatus. With the baby’s first cry, the film, having fulfilled its role, breaks, thereby providing the opportunity to work visual system as it should be.

But sometimes there is no breakup. The resulting tears have to find workarounds or remain in a state of stagnation. Blockage of the tear duct leads to the accumulation of fluid in the sac; it becomes clogged, swells, becomes inflamed and becomes fertile ground for infections that love warmth and moisture.

A “spent” tear overcomes a certain way before leaving the body. If a blockage occurs along this path, stagnation and inflammation may develop.

A similar problem occurs in 2-4% of infants. In order to effectively and as quickly as possible help the baby get rid of it, it is important to know how this condition manifests itself, as well as what are the basic principles of its treatment.

Causes of obstruction

Congenital obstruction. Too dense mucous film blocks the drainage system. It can resolve on its own during the first months of life. If this does not happen, they resort to bougienage.
Attachment of infection. Any stagnation of liquid in a warm place is a breeding ground for bacteria. This is how inflammation of the nasolacrimal duct develops (dacryocystitis).
The pathological formation and growth of the nasal bone puts pressure on the tear duct and can block it.
Tumors of the nose, face; the presence of a cyst or stones in the duct.

Symptoms

Until the baby started to cry, pathological condition is asymptomatic. Over time, the pathology makes itself felt with signs very similar to conjunctivitis. They are usually observed only in one eye:

lacrimation; the eye remains excessively moist almost all the time;
A yellow-brown discharge forms on the inner corner of the eye; it sticks the eyelashes together in the morning;
eyelids swell and turn red;
V difficult situations pus discharges from the eyes, there is pain when pressing along the nose;
Antibiotic drops help only temporarily; after treatment ends, symptoms resume.

Daily eye hygiene is the first step towards recovery

If you find similar signs in your newborn baby, the first thing to do is consult a doctor. It is he who chooses the final diagnosis and treatment tactics.

Diagnostics

There are several diagnostic methods, allowing you to determine for sure whether there is a blockage of the tear ducts.

Test Vesta. A drop of a dye - a harmless solution of fluorescein or collargol - is instilled into both eyes. A loose cotton swab is inserted into the nose and the time is noted. From the eye itself, the coloring matter normally disappears in 3-5 minutes. 5 minutes after the start of the procedure, the tampon is removed from the nose every minute with tweezers to understand how long it will take for it to stain. At positive result The tampon is stained in 7 minutes. If more than 10 minutes have passed, the test is considered negative.
Fluorescent dye test. The solution with the dye is dropped into the eyes, 1 drop at a time. After 15 minutes, the ophthalmologist looks at the conjunctiva through a special blue light. Normally there is almost no paint left. If there is a lot of it, drainage system eyes are not working well.
Dacryoscintigraphy. Drops into the eye contrast agent and then magnetic resonance imaging is done, CT scan or x-ray. The image shows the absence or presence of blockage of the tear ducts.
Test for identifying the culture of microorganisms and their resistance(or sensitivity) to antibiotics. If the discharge is purulent, a culture is done to determine the type of bacteria. When the samples grow on the culture medium, a test is done to determine the sensitivity of the bacterium to different antimicrobials. It allows you to treat the infection as quickly and effectively as possible.
Probing. A metal wire is passed through the duct and thus the location of the blockage is determined by immediately therapeutic measures. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

Treatment options

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pathology and its severity. For newborns, therapy begins with massage. If necessary, antibacterial eye drops are instilled.

Massage

Massage of the lacrimal canal in newborns is prescribed by a doctor. He explains and clearly shows how to do it. Therefore, information about massage techniques and techniques is provided for informational purposes.

Massage can be performed at home, but you need to learn how to do it

Before the massage, hands are washed thoroughly and nails are cut short. After this, the eyes are washed. Use chamomile decoction or furatsilin solution (1: 5000). A cotton swab is moistened in the selected liquid and cleans the eyelashes and palpebral fissure, moving from the temple towards the nose, from the outer edge to the inner, removing any remaining pus. Only after this we proceed to massage the lacrimal canal in newborns:

We place the index finger (this is important!) on the inner corner of the baby’s eye so that its pad looks at the bridge of the nose.
Lightly press this point. The pressure should not be strong (remember: the baby has vulnerable cartilages in the sinuses), but sufficient to help break through the film.
Without ceasing to press, we move our finger down along the spout. The movement resembles a push: sharp and confident. Having reached the bottom, reduce the pressure and return to the starting position towards the inner corner.
The total number of jerky continuous movements should be from 5 to 10. During the procedure, pus or tears may be released from the peephole, which is a good sign. The released pus is removed by rinsing and the massage is completed.
The last stage is instillation of drops into a clean, developed eye.

Attention! Do not use drops that can crystallize for treatment. This additionally prevents the tear fluid from draining normally. For example, a 20% solution of sodium sulfacyl (popularly known as albucid) crystallizes.

The child may resist and cry during the massage. As cruel as it may sound, crying in this case is very helpful, because the baby is tense, and during tension it is much easier to break through the cork.

Probing

If finger vibration massage does not give the expected result within two weeks, a procedure called probing, or bougienage, is prescribed. Although it is classified as a surgical procedure, there is no need to worry too much. It is simple, takes place in most cases under local anesthesia and lasts no more than 10 minutes. What is she?

All manipulations are carried out in the office of an ophthalmologist with the proper qualifications and experience. Before the operation, an additional consultation is made with an ENT doctor to rule out nasal pathologies, such as congenital deviated nasal septum. The child's blood is tested for clotting.

Sometimes probing is the only thing the right way help the child

Local anesthetic drops, most often 0.5% Alcaine, are instilled into children's eyes. It reliably relieves pain almost immediately and acts for 15 minutes. There is enough time for all manipulations. First, the tear ducts are widened using Sichel probes. Then a Bowman probe (resembles a thin metal wire) is used. They use it to break through the film and clean the channel. Washing is performed with saline solution and disinfectants. Using the West test, it is determined whether the canal has opened well.

To prevent re-narrowing (this can happen), a weekly preventative massage of the tear ducts and antibacterial drops are prescribed.

Note to parents. During the operation, the baby may cry. Don't think he's not crying from severe unbearable pain. It’s just that no one likes it when their eyes are “picked”, and even in the bright light of surgical lamps. Of course, everyone has a different sensitivity threshold, and echoes of pain may be present, but they are tolerable. As soon as the basic manipulations are over, the child will calm down.

If you are diagnosed with obstruction of the tear ducts and doctors strongly recommend that you undergo bougienage, do not delay the decision for long. The operation is most effective in children under three months of age, because over time the clogging film hardens. By 6 months it is much more difficult to break through.

Prevention

There are no special methods of prevention. The pathology is most often congenital, so it is either there or it is not. It is recommended to promptly treat sinusitis and conjunctivitis, take care of personal hygiene, and avoid rubbing your eyes with dirty hands. At eye diseases Avoid exposure to wind, cold or direct sunlight.

Dacryocystitis is a fairly common disease of the organs of vision, which is caused by pathology of the lacrimal glands. An interesting and statistically proven fact: women are more susceptible to this disease. Note that dacryocystitis - dangerous disease, and if it is not treated in time, the consequences can be serious: up to complete loss of vision or sepsis. In this article we will look at the features of dacryocystitis in adults: we will find out what causes the disease, what are its symptoms, and how this disease can be cured.

Description

Dacryocystitis is an inflammation that develops in the lacrimal sac of the eye. Note that this disease is the cause of 5-7% of all visits to an ophthalmologist in the world. Women suffer from this disease much more often than men (6-8 times!): and this fact is explained by the naturally narrower tear ducts in women. Note that people at risk are in their prime years: from 30 to 60.

The photo shows the localization of the disease:

Dacryocystitis in adults

Dacryocystitis leads to obstruction of the lacrimal canals, as a result of which the process of normal outflow of tear fluid is disrupted and fluid accumulates in the lacrimal sac. All this leads to inflammation in this area. The disease can occur both chronically and acute form. Besides, in separate category dacryocystitis of newborns is carried out.

The video shows a description of the disease:

Symptoms

Let's find out how this disease manifests itself.

The early stage of dacryocystitis occurs without particularly severe symptoms. Usually on initial stage the sick person feels only a slight swelling under the eye, as well as a mild feeling of fullness. After some time, severe lacrimation appears, and it is continuous.

This symptom is accompanied by constant discomfort, and lungs also appear. painful sensations. If you press on the lacrimal sac, which is already noticeably swollen, purulent fluid may be released.

The late stage of the disease is characterized by profuse and constant lacrimation, and the skin in the area of the affected lacrimal sac becomes red and inflamed.

If dacryocystitis occurs in an acute form, then the symptoms will be much more pronounced. In this case, the skin on the affected area becomes very red, the eyelid of the affected eye swells, and the palpebral fissure sometimes closes completely. If a case of severe swelling of the eyes can spread to the entire cheek, cover the bridge of the nose.

In addition, acute dacryocystitis in adults brings with it the following unpleasant symptoms: severe chills, jerking pain in the area of the affected eye, headache, feverish conditions, etc.

Sometimes, in acute dacryocystitis, the purulent capsule in the lacrimal sac opens on its own: in this case, the liquid contents flow out.

This process of self-opening is fraught with the formation of phlegmon (if pus flows under the skin). In addition, such a course of acute dacryocystitis leads to frequent relapses of this disease.

With chronic dacryocystitis, patients often complain of severe pus and lacrimation from the eye, even leading to eyelashes sticking together overnight.

Note that if simple dacryocystitis is not treated promptly, the disease can develop into purulent inflammatory abscess, which is quite difficult for the body to tolerate. In addition, an abscess is fraught with sepsis, and also sometimes leads to complete loss ability to see.

Complications of dacryocystitis can cause the following diseases: conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis and even purulent infection of the cornea with the appearance of ulcers on it. As a result of a severe outcome of the disease, the formation of a cataract on the cornea of the eye is likely, which implies loss of vision.

Causes

Let's find out what factors cause this disease.

Sometimes dacryocystitis in an adult occurs as a result of colds, various inflammations of the nasopharynx, injury and pathological processes in this area. Sometimes the disease can be a consequence of hypothermia, and can also be the result of poisoning with toxic substances.

The video shows the causes of the disease:

The disease can also occur in an adult as a result of the following diseases: ARVI, sinusitis, rhinitis, polyps, adenoids, fractures of the nasal bones. Factors provoking the occurrence of the disease are recognized diabetes, work in hazardous industries, low immunity, sudden temperature changes.

Forms

Let's find out what types of this disease exist. So, today doctors have identified four main forms of dacryocystitis:

Simple catarrhal form . This initial stage disease, and it is the easiest to cure. As a rule, for complete deliverance simple dacryocystitis is enough conservative methods treatment.
Stenosing form. On at this stage The nasolacrimal duct noticeably narrows, and fluid begins to accumulate in the corresponding capsule.
Empyema. This education- accumulation of purulent fluid inside the lacrimal sac. Requires immediate medical attention.
Phlegmon. This is the most dangerous stage dacryocystitis: phlegmon involves the spread of pus without clearly defined boundaries, which is a serious danger and even a prerequisite for the occurrence of sepsis. There is an urgent need here surgery.

As for acute dacryocystitis, it is not an independent form, but arises only as a complication chronic course diseases.

Diagnostics

If a suspicious lump appears under the eye, as well as in the presence of the listed alarming symptoms It is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. When visiting a doctor, you should remember exactly when the first signs of the disease appeared, what they were expressed in, and what preceded it: injuries, past illnesses etc.

The doctor conducts an external examination of the affected area, and must also take a sample of discharge from the lacrimal and nasal canals. It is important to determine whether pus is present in these secretions: if so, then infection has occurred. If making a diagnosis is difficult, the doctor may give a referral for x-rays or some other hardware examinations.

How to treat

Let's get acquainted with the methods of treating dacryocystitis in adults.

On early stages may I help conservative treatment, which is used to massage the seal of the lacrimal sac, rinse the cavity, anti-inflammatory drugs (Dexamethasone), antibacterial drugs(Ciprofloxacin, Levomycetin, etc.), vasoconstrictors.

Dexamethasone

If the form of dacryocystitis in an adult is already advanced, then the only possible way The solution to the problem is surgery.

Dacryocystitis with acute course being treated in inpatient conditions. Initially, therapy is carried out using vitamins, UHF procedures, and dry warm compresses are also indicated on the affected area.

The video shows the treatment of the disease:

When signs of pus appear in the lacrimal sac, the capsule is opened. After the procedure, the wound is washed antiseptic solutions(use furatsilin, peroxide).

To stop the growth of bacteria and avoid inflammation, drops with antibiotics are instilled into the eyes: miramistin, levomycin, sulfacetamide, gentamicin.

In addition, the laying is shown antibacterial ointment to the affected area: erythromycin, tetracycline, ofloxacin, etc.

Miramistin

Oral antibiotics are also indicated: you can take penicillin, drugs based on cephalosporins, aminoglycosides. When acute process will be stopped, surgical intervention is performed, completely cleaning out the clogged capsule.

When dacryocystitis is diagnosed, a ban is imposed on the use of contact lenses during illness; in addition, you cannot apply bandages to your eyes yourself. Until complete recovery, any manipulations with the eyes that require direct contact with the cornea are also prohibited: including tonometry, gonioscopy, ultrasound of the eye, etc.

Complications

As a rule, when timely treatment For dacryocystitis, the prognosis is quite favorable. If ulcers appear on the cornea, this can cause the formation of a cataract and further progressive deterioration of vision in the affected eye.

If dacryocystitis is not treated in an adult, the infection from the lacrimal sac will spread further: to the cornea of the eye, other organs of vision, sometimes even ulceration occurs internal organs eyes.

Dacryocystitis due to the accumulation of purulent contents is very dangerous for eyeball. In stagnant, infected tear fluid, it develops rapidly pathogenic microflora, including staphylococci and pneumococci. Tuberculosis and chlamydia microflora develop less frequently.

The course of the disease can be complicated by the appearance of such pathologies as:

orbital phlegmon;
sinus thrombosis;
thrombophlebitis of the orbital veins;
meningitis;
sepsis.

As you can see, the consequences of the disease are very serious and can lead not only to a person’s disability, but also to death.

So, we learned what a disease like dacryocystitis in adults is, and we also found out how this disease can be cured. The consequences of the disease are quite frightening, so in this case you should not delay visiting a doctor. Adequate measures taken in a timely manner will help quickly stop inflammation and can prevent loss of vision and blood poisoning.

The sole function of the tear ducts is to remove tears. They carry tears secreted by the lacrimal glands (located under the upper eyelids) to the surface of the eye and from the lacrimal sac (located near the nose) to the back of the throat. Blinking the eyelids pushes tears into small holes located in the corner of the eyes (near the nose), the canaliculi, from where they enter the lacrimal sac. The lacrimal (lacrimal) sac is connected to the nasal cavity by the nasolacrimal duct. Thus, these channels connect the eyes to the nose and keep your eyes clean by drying up tears. This is why you often taste your eye drops. They are dropped into the eyes, but they flow down the throat, since both these organs are connected by ducts.

a — lacrimal gland, b — lacrimal canaliculus, c — superior lacrimal canal, d — lacrimal sac,
e - ampulla, f - inferior lacrimal canal, g - nasolacrimal canal.

These channels are very important for eye care as tears help protect the eyes from dust particles and prevent dry eyes. Note that the lacrimal or nasolacrimal ducts do not produce tears! Human tears are known to be rich in potassium, which gives them a salty taste. They also contain a special enzyme called lysozyme, which helps kill bacteria in the eyes and lubricates your eyes. However, tears from excess emotions contain prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone, which contains protein. Human tears also contain leucine enkephalin, a natural pain reliever. Humans have four thin tubules located in the upper and lower eyelids of each eye that connect to the tear glands. They help remove tears that leak through tiny holes also located in the lower inner corner of each eye.

The mechanism of the tear ducts

When the lacrimal glands are activated, they produce tears and transmit them through these channels. The ducts help flush them out of the eyes. Without these ducts, the flow of tears will be blocked in your eye. They help remove tears through the nasal cavity. This explains why your eyes constantly water when they are infected because the ducts become blocked. Overflowing with tears, called epiphora, can cause them to flow into the nose and mix with mucus, causing a runny nose. We all have ducts that open at birth.

About 6% of children are born with closed or blocked canals. This syndrome is called congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Lacrimal glands continue to continuously produce and release tears in small quantities. These tears are passed between upper eyelid and the tear duct to pass through the tear duct and eventually drain into the nasal cavity. When you blink, tears spread across the eyeball, creating a thin film of tear fluid. When tears or lacrimal glands are overactive, various reasons, they work too long time and produce too many tears that the nasolacrimal streams cannot accommodate. Consequently, they start leaking from your eyeball. The protective tear film is constantly replenished, keeping the eye lubricated when you blink. The lacrimal glands constantly replace the secretions of this film over the cornea with new tears. It is secreted out through openings into the ducts and then into the nose. The nose transfers them into its fluids. When you wake up, you find accumulated mucus in the inner corners of your eyes. This is dirt and dust removed from the surface of the cornea during the day.

When do tear ducts work?

Tears of crying flow the same way for everyone - children, women, and men...

When you are sad or experiencing strong emotions, your brain high speed many chemical changes occur. This activates the lacrimal glands or tear glands under the eyelids and stores tears in the ducts. Additionally, the sudden flow of blood to the face further stimulates tear production. When your ducts are unable to carry as many tears, they leak out of the hole located in the inner corner of the eye. Crying with tears usually occurs due to sadness, pain, anger or extreme happiness. They are different from the other two types.

If you can't cry, it could mean your tear duct is blocked, which can lead to infection.

Clogged or blocked channels are a result malfunction thin connective tissue, which helps open and close the ducts. This can lead to dry eye syndrome. Then the tear drainage system is examined using a thin, blunt metal wire, which is inserted into the hole and then pushed into the nose to ensure that nothing is blocking its path. If this fails, plastic or silicone tubes are inserted into the lacrimal drainage system under anesthesia. In some cases, surgery is required to create a new tear drainage channel through the bones of the nose, bypassing the problematic (natural) channel, thereby solving the problem.

Reflex tears: wash the irritant out of the eyes

When dust particles or eyelashes get into the eyes, the eyes begin to water. This is a natural mechanism of the tear duct to remove foreign body which irritates the eyes. Reflex tears can be caused by onion fumes, spices like chili or pepper, contact lenses and tear gas. Reflex tears are also produced when vomiting, yawning, or a flash of bright light.

Basal Tears: Natural Eye Cleansers

You may have noticed that sometimes your eyes become moist or watery for no particular reason. This natural release lubricants for regular cleaning. The lacrimal glands regularly produce basal tears to keep the eyes clear of dust and dirt. These tears are antibacterial in nature and contain lysozyme. This Chemical substance fights certain bacteria on the topmost layer of the tear film, called peptidoglycan. Basal tears have a high salt content, similar to that found in blood plasma.

What doctors say about tears (video)

Blockage of the tear duct is a pathological condition in which a person experiences a disruption in the normal outflow of tear fluid. This is a fairly common disease. According to statistics, about 5-7% of patients in ophthalmology departments suffer from it.

Blockage of the tear duct can be congenital or caused by exposure to unfavorable factors. In any case, it must be treated, otherwise the patient will face serious complications.

Note. Women are 8 times more likely to suffer from tear duct blockage than men.

Causes

The cause of a blocked tear duct may be:

Underdevelopment of the drainage system of the eye. In some babies, the tear ducts are sealed with a thin plug of mucus. This problem usually goes away on its own during the first months of life. Only in some cases, blockage of the tear duct in children may require medical intervention.
Disorders in the structure of the skull (often accompanied by mental disorders).
Physiological aging (with age, a person’s tear ducts become greatly narrowed).
The presence of a focus of infection and inflammation in the eye area.
Facial injuries. In case of severe injury, the bones in the area of the lacrimal canal may be damaged, resulting in disruption of the outflow of tear fluid.
The presence of benign or malignant tumors in the eye or nose.
Long-term use of certain topical medications (for example, drops for the treatment of glaucoma) or systemic (for example, Docetaxel for breast and lung cancer).

Risk factors

As practice shows, blockage of the lacrimal duct is most often diagnosed in patients:

elderly;
have ever suffered surgery before our eyes;
with a history of eye diseases;
patients with oncology.

Important! Scientists suggest that the tendency to block the tear duct may be inherited.

Signs

The main symptoms of a blocked tear duct include:

pathologically large volume of tear fluid (while the eyes are constantly wet);
inflammatory processes affecting various parts of the eye;
formation of swelling in the inner corner of the eye (in some cases it can be painful);
discharge of pus from the eye;
admixture of blood in tear fluid;
visual impairment (loss of clarity, blurriness).

Diagnostics

Although blockage of the tear ducts in adults and children is accompanied by pronounced clinical symptoms, an examination is still necessary. Otherwise, there is a risk of misdiagnosis.

The examination may include:

Fluorescent dye test. This procedure necessary in order to find out how the drainage system of the eye works in a person. To do this, the patient instills 1 drop of dye into each eye, and after a few minutes evaluates appearance cornea. If the paint remains in large quantities- this means that there are problems with the outflow of tear fluid.
Probing the lacrimal canal. The essence this method consist in the fact that the doctor inserts a special thin instrument into the patient’s lacrimal canal and thus checks the patency.
Dacryocystography. Thanks to this study, it is possible to obtain an image of the outflow system of the eye. During the procedure, a specialist instills a special contrast agent into the patient’s eyes, after which he performs a CT scan (can only be done to detect blockage of the tear duct in adults) or an MRI. Thus, the tear ducts become clearly visible in the photographs.

Important! If the patient has a minor blockage of the tear duct, it may disappear during probing.

Treatment of the disease in children and adults

Despite the fact that blockage of the lacrimal gland in newborns disappears on its own during the first year of life, it is still recommended to take some measures. So, parents of the baby should carefully ensure that his eyes always remain clean. To prevent tear fluid from accumulating in the canal, the area of blockage can be lightly massaged. During development infectious process antibiotic therapy is used.

If the situation has not improved 6-12 months after birth, the child will undergo probing, which widens the tear ducts. Finally, the ducts are washed.

Important! The probing procedure helps solve the problem in 90% of children with blocked tear ducts. Unfortunately, it almost never helps adult patients recover completely.

The main treatment for blocked tear ducts in adults is surgery. It can be carried out using either surgical instruments, and laser. The latter method is more modern, which is why doctors prefer it today. The advantage of the laser is that it “solders” blood vessels and thus reduces the risk of bleeding and infection of healthy tissue.

After the procedure, a soft silicone tube may be inserted into the canal to prevent re-narrowing.

In some cases, the doctor may fracture the bone deep in the nose. The shape and size of the organ will remain the same. In the most advanced cases surgeons create a new artificial tear duct for the patient.

Important! To avoid development purulent ulcer corneas, at the time of treatment, patients should stop using contact lenses, applying bandages and carrying out any activities that involve contact with the eye.

Forecast

If the blockage of the tear duct is treated on time, the prognosis will be quite favorable. Otherwise, a person may develop a cataract, endophthalmitis, eye subatrophy, thrombophlebitis of the eye veins, inflammation of the membrane of the brain and its tissues, as well as sepsis.

To prevent the development of blockage of the tear duct, you need to avoid injuries to the face and eyes, treat pathologies of the ENT organs in a timely manner and strengthen the immune system.