Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

NLDO is a blockage in the tear drainage system. Tears normally drain from the eye through small puncta on the eyelid, down a duct (the nasolacrimal duct), and into the nose. A blockage causes tears to back up and overflow.

Disease

Symptoms

The main symptom is excessive tearing (epiphora), where tears run down the cheek. The eye may also have a mucus discharge and be chronically watery or sticky, especially upon waking. In infants, it is common and often presents as a constantly watery or goopy eye without redness.

Diagnosis

An eye doctor can diagnose it by examining the eye and eyelids. They may perform a tear drainage test by placing a drop of harmless dye in the eye to see if it drains normally into the nose. In adults, a probing test can help diagnose the blockage in the tear drainage system.

Treatments

In infants, most blockages (over 90%) open on their own by age 1. Gentle massage of the tear sac area (as shown by your doctor) can help. If it persists, a simple outpatient procedure called probing can open the duct. In adults, treatment depends on the cause and location of the blockage and may involve surgery (dacryocystorhinostomy or DCR) to create a new drainage pathway from the tear sac into the nose.

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Disease

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Disease

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Disease

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Disease

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Disease

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Disease

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