Tearing & Lacrimal Problems/Tear Duct Surgery In Plano -North Texas
Expert Eyelid surgery center in North Texas
Tearing & Lacrimal Problems
At Legacy Eyelids & Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Kalyam is an expert on the tear duct and lacrimal treatments. Eyes are protected when tears work in conjunction with eyelids and eyelashes. Tears play a critical role in keeping eye lubricated and clean. Tears also protect eyes from infection. In some cases, blockage can occur in the tear drainage canal that drains tears from eye in to noise. The blockage may also result in excessive tears and watery eyes. These blockages can be found in either ducts in the nose, drain in eyelid, or drain opening in the eyelid margin.
During your consultation, Dr. Kalyam will thoroughly evaluate your tearing issue and help create a personalized treatment plan to help improve your tearing problems.
Causes of Excessive Tearing
Most common cause of excessive tearing is dryness of the eye or unhealthy tear film. Excessive tearing is a result of an imbalance between tear production and drainage. Poor drainage may result from non-optimal tear duct position or an obstruction along the lacrimal drain path between eyelids and nose. The exact reason as why the patients develop a blocked tear drainage system is unknown.
Creating new Tear Ducts (Oculoplastics External DCR)
Blocked Tear Duct Surgery (Oculoplastics Endoscopic DCR)
Eyelid Issues Can Cause Tearing Problems
Meibomian Glands poor function: Tear glands produce only 1/3rd of the tear film. Equally important is the oil made from Meibomian Glands in the eyelids. This oil helps tear film to spread and coats the surface of the eye.
Blepharitis: Any inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) can be a common reason for Meibomian Gland malfunction. The inflammation results in poor functioning Meibomian glands and is exceedingly common in dry eye patients.
Eyelid Cleaning Steps for Controlling Blepharitis
Eyelids malposition: Dry Eye disease can be a result of eyelids not resting in proper position with right amount of tension in the muscles. This in turn can lead to tearing issues. This can be corrected in the office by tightening eyelid tendons and structures can be used to position the tear duct.
Treatment for Excessive Tearing
It is critical that you chose a highly trained Oculo-facial plastic surgeon for this intricate tear duct procedure in the eye. Dr. Kalyam is one of the few surgeons in North Dallas to offer endoscopic or no scar DCR (tear duct is opened from nasal side). Dr. Kalyam will discuss a variety of procedures and surgical options for treating tearing issues arising from blocked tear ducts.
- Adults are treated for opening of the duct on the eyelid margin which can be repaired in the office with a minor procedure to enlarge the passageway. Permanently closing the tear drains in an option for dry eyes.
- Children with blocked tear ducts from birth are treated by placing a silicone tube in the duct/tear drainage system.
- If tearing is a result of dry eye syndrome, Dr. Kalyam can work on a treatment plan to control the underlying disease. Often times, it is a simple and painless procedure performed in office setting. This procedure may involve placing plugs in the eye drainage system.
- Dr. Kalyam also performs outpatient procedures such as dacryocystorhinostomy or DCR to treat partial or complete blockage of tear ducts. This procedure can be performed by making a small incision endoscopically on the side of the nose.
Recovery after Tear Duct Surgery
Tear Duct surgery in performed on an outpatient basis. After the surgery bruising or swelling around the eye is common. Dr. Kalyam uses minimally invasive techniques and usually patients can go home immediately after the surgery. Patients can resume normal activities within 1-3 days if problems are limited to the opening of tear duct drain. If problem is due to blockage of tear duct in nose, DCR surgery is performed on outpatient basis and the down time is usually 3-7 days. It is recommended to avoid exercise during the healing period.