Lacrimal disorders

Synonyms in a broader sense

Dacryocystitis, canaliculitis, inflammation of the lacrimal gland

introduction

The tear ducts consist of a tear-producing and tear-transporting part. The actual lacrimal gland, which lies in the upper outer corner of the eye and produces the main component of the tear fluid, is supported by the accessory lacrimal glands.

Both types of glands produce different components of the tear film (see below). If the tears were spread over the eye by the blink of an eye, they flow in the inner corner of the eye through the tear points into the tear sac and from there into the lower nasal concha.

At all of these different wards, the tear ducts can become diseased, i.e. become inflamed, blocked or even form tumors, and require appropriate measures.

Lacrimal disorders in adults

It should be mentioned in advance that the ending "-itis" means inflammation (Canalicutilis = inflammation of the tubules).

In adult lacrimal duct diseases, the lacrimal duct and the lacrimal sac are most often affected by occlusions or inflammations.

Inflammation of the lacrimal tubules (canaliculitis)

root cause

Inflammation of the lacrimal tubules is caused by

• bacteria
• Viruses or
• Fungal infections

Symptoms
The tears are very red. Very hard clumps form.

therapy
The clumps of inflammation and the lacrimal tubules are removed by scraping.

Inflammation of the bags under the eyes (dacryocystitis)

This inflammation can occur both acutely and chronic. The chronic form is often associated with less pain and develops slowly during the acute form dacryocystitis (inflammation of the bags under the eyes) occurs suddenly.

root cause
This inflammation is often caused by obstructed drainage and bacterial colonization.

Symptoms / complaints
The area around the Tear sac, i.e. at the inner corner of the eye, swells and turns red (red eye). This swelling is painful and caused by the accumulation of pus caused by bacteria. The pus can be pressed out of the bags under the eyes. It often happens that the tear duct remains closed even after the inflammation has subsided.

therapy
Becoming therapy Antibiotics administered and treated locally with disinfectant poultices. If the tear sac swells too much, it may even have to be slit open. This is how the pus is drained.

Injuries to the lacrimal tubules

root cause
Injuries to the tear ducts occur, for example, in bite injuries by dogs or windshield injuries in car accidents. The lacrimal tubules, of which there are two - one on the edge of the upper eyelid and one on the edge of the lower eyelid - are, in the worst case, completely severed and have to be restored.

Symptoms
Due to the injured tear ducts, the tears can only be insufficiently removed. So there is a trickle of tears. As with any type of external injury, attention must be paid to the risk of infection. Inadequate hygiene can lead to inflammation, which can quickly become dangerous to the eye.

therapy
The lacrimal tubules are reconstructed. This is done with the help of a silicone tube that is inserted into the tubules and thus maintains its original shape. Now the injured tubules can heal again.

Lacrimal stenosis in newborns

Lacrimal stenosis is the most common tear duct disorder in newborns. A stenosis is a narrowing.

root cause
In newborns or infants, it can happen that the tear duct exit into the nose remains blocked. During the development of the fetus in the womb, a membrane forms in the lacrimal duct (Hasner membrane), which sometimes persists even after the birth.

Symptoms / complaints
The mucus builds up through the lock and the eyes water. Over time, pus collects in the inner corner of the eye, which comes out through the teardrop spots.

therapy
First of all, an attempt can be made to open the way by applying pressure from the outside on the tear sac. If this does not succeed, the tear duct is flushed or, if it is unsuccessful, probed. You should not wait long for this, as there is a risk of sticking.
Parents should then watch their newborn baby closely and consult a doctor if they suspect it.

Read more on the topic: Tear duct stenosis such as Tear duct stenosis