Tear duct repair often requires reconstructive surgery. There are certain factors that are common in patients that require this procedure. Age and gender often effects who will need this treatment. Older women seem to be the group with the highest incidences of need for the restorative surgery. Those with chronic eye inflammation often have an increased risk of developing a blockage in the tear duct as well as those that have had the surgery before, that could have produced enough scar tissue to cause a blockage of the tear duct that is severe enough to warrant surgery. People that are being treated for glaucoma with certain eye medications often incur blockages in this area and require tear duct surgery to correct. This also occurs with certain cancers that incur the same treatment regimens.
Treatment regimens often begin with less invasive treatments. If they’re not successful then surgical methods are discussed. The most common of these surgeries is the external dacryocystorhinostomy. This surgery allows the tear duct to drain through the nose as is normal by reconstructing the passageway. It only requires a general or local anesthetic, and it is normally performed on an outpatient basis. This allows for a speedy recovery although stents and other methods may have to be removed or adjusted through later outpatient treatments if necessary.
To prevent further necessity for treatments, things like eye inflammations must be controlled in an expedient manner so as not to aggravate the problem. Additionally, replace makeups often and control rubbing the eyes especially with unclean hands.
