What is the treatment?

• Your doctor will diagnose the condition by performing a syringing examination of the tear drainage system.
• Surgery in the form of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

What are the surgical options?

DCR is aimed at creating a small opening in the bone that surrounds the nasolacrimal duct (an osteotomy) to allow tears to drain and bypass the area of obstruction. A silicone tube is also inserted to maintain the ostium opening for a period of 6 - 12 weeks, depending on your condition.

There are 2 main approaches to DCR.

• 1. External dacryocystorhinostomy

  A small skin incision is usually made on the area between the nose bridge and eyelid.

• 2. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

  Surgery is performed through the nostril to avoid a skin incision.

  Your surgeon may perform a nasal endoscopy procedure to determine suitability for this surgical approach.

Aspirin and anticoagulants

• These medications can cause significantly more bleeding during and after the surgery.
• If you take aspirin, or blood-thinning agents such as warfarin, you will need to check with your physician if you could safely stop these drugs.
• Some herbs or health supplements may also thin your blood to make surgery unsafe, please get advice from your doctor if you need to stop them before surgery.

What to expect on the day of the surgery?

• Same-day admission - overnight stay for one night to observe for any nose bleeding.
• A local anaesthetic injection is given to the eyelid area where surgery will be performed.
• The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.

What to expect post-surgery

• Usually only mild discomfort after surgery.
• Expect some swelling, bruising and tightness of the eyelids these will resolve once the wounds heal.
• Infrequently, slight asymmetry in the eyelid appearance or position might occur and may require additional corrective surgery.