What Is Lacrimal Surgery (DCR)?
Lacrimal surgery resolves constant tearing caused by a blockage in the duct that drains tears from the eye into the nose. When that duct gets blocked, tears have nowhere to go, so they spill over onto the cheek, and the buildup makes the area prone to infection.
The main technique is dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), which creates a new drainage path straight from the tear sac to the nose, bypassing the blocked area. It is the definitive fix for tearing caused by an obstruction and for recurrent infections of the tear sac.
Why Does the Tear Duct Get Blocked?
- Age-related changes (the most common cause in adults)
- Repeated infections or inflammation
- Trauma to the area
- Congenital blockage (in babies, managed differently)
Persistent tearing is not just an annoyance. The buildup of tears sets the stage for dacryocystitis, an infection of the tear sac that shows up as swelling, pain, and discharge next to the nose.
Techniques
- External DCR: a small incision next to the nose that typically heals well and becomes barely noticeable. High success rate.
- Endoscopic DCR: performed entirely through the nose, with no external scar.
In many cases, a temporary silicone tube is placed to keep the new drainage path open while it heals, then removed in the office a few weeks later.
Who Is a Candidate?
- Constant tearing that runs down the cheek with no emotional cause
- Frequent discharge or crusting, or eyes stuck shut on waking
- Episodes of infection or swelling next to the nose
- A confirmed diagnosis of obstruction on evaluation
The Procedure, Step by Step
- Evaluation: confirming the blockage through probing and irrigation of the tear duct.
- Anesthesia: local with sedation, or general.
- Creating the new drainage path between the tear sac and the nose (external or endoscopic).
- Placing the temporary silicone tube, when needed.
- Closing up and nasal care instructions.
The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Recovery
- Days 1-7: swelling next to the nose and possible mild nasal bleeding, both expected. Nasal care instructions provided.
- Following weeks: tearing resolves progressively. The silicone tube, if one was placed, is removed in the office.
- Most patients notice their tearing improve fairly quickly.
Why Choose Centro Láser for Lacrimal Surgery
At Centro Láser, lacrimal surgery is performed by our oculoplastics team, who evaluate the exact cause of the tearing and choose the technique best suited to your case. We treat both constant tearing and recurrent infections of the tear sac, as part of an eye care center that looks after the overall health of your eye.
