Lacrimal inflammation

definition

The lacrimal gland is located at the top outer corner of the eye and produces most of the tear fluid.

This is very important to keep the eye, especially the cornea, moist and nourished.
That is why it is distributed over the entire cornea with every blink of the eye and then flows into the draining tear ducts in the inner corner of the eye.
From here the tear fluid is drained into the nasal cavity.

Inflammation of the lacrimal gland usually affects the entire eye, as the tear fluid it produces is supplied to important structures and distributed over the entire eye. In technical jargon, the lacrimal gland inflammation is called dacryoadenitis

Recognizing an inflammation of the lacrimal gland

What are the symptoms of an inflammation of the lacrimal gland?

Lacrimal inflammation usually occurs on one side. It manifests itself in the fact that the patient has a reddened and swollen eye that is very sensitive to pressure.

A warming of the surrounding area can also often be felt. The upper eyelid is usually only swollen on the temple side and only hangs lower in this area, which is why this is referred to as a paragraph shape.
Often it cannot be opened because the swelling is too strong or pain prevents it.

The affected eye may water or there may be yellowish discharge from the affected eye.

Read more on the topic: Watery eyes

The eyelashes are often stuck together from the discharge. With severe courses of the disease, there is a discharge of pus from the lacrimal gland when pressure is applied to it. Eyesight can also deteriorate progressively.

The lymph nodes that are in front of the ear may be swollen on the affected side.
In some cases, headache, fever, or vomiting may also be symptoms.

However, lacrimal inflammation does not necessarily have to be associated with pain.
Especially with chronic inflammation, there is usually no pain, but the swelling is usually more pronounced in this case.

How is lacrimal inflammation diagnosed?

The doctor recognizes the inflamed lacrimal gland based on the typical symptoms.

However, in order to determine the cause of the inflammation, a smear must be taken. Bacteria can possibly be detected here, which is important in order to be able to initiate the appropriate therapy.
A blood test may also be needed to detect systemic disease.

Treating inflammation of the lacrimal gland

How is lacrimal inflammation treated?

The treatment of the lacrimal gland always depends on the cause of the disease.
If the smear gives a positive result, i.e. bacteria are responsible for the inflammation, treatment must be started with an antibiotic.

Warm, sterile compresses on the eye can help to reduce the inflammation faster.

If the lacrimal inflammation is diagnosed as a secondary disease, the causal diseases (Mumps, measles, scarlet fever etc..) be treated.

If no infectious pathogens are recognized as the cause, the administration of corticosteroids, i.e. preparations containing cortisone (Prednisolone) the swelling will be reduced.

Hygiene is important when treating an inflammation of the lacrimal gland in order to prevent the germs present from being carried over to other areas of the face or the other eye.

Preventing lacrimal inflammation

What are the causes of an inflammation of the lacrimal gland?

The lacrimal gland inflammation can have different causes.
Most often, the acute form of inflammation is caused by bacterial pathogens.

These include, in particular, staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci.
ll these bacteria can be transmitted by droplet infection, i.e. via the air you breathe.

Certain viruses can also lead to inflammation of the lacrimal glands. This can be the case with measles, mumps, Pfeiffer's glandular fever or a flu-like infection.

Lacrimal gland inflammation often occurs as a concomitant disease, both with bacteria and viruses as a trigger.
Often children are affected who have a bacterial infection, e.g. Scarlet fever, or from a viral infection, e.g. Measles, mumps or a flu-like infection. People with a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible.

If the conjunctiva is inflamed by bacteria or viruses, this can spread and spread to the lacrimal gland.

The lacrimal gland inflammation can also become a chronic disease. This is the case when other inflammatory chronic diseases or systemic diseases are underlying. These include, for example, tuberculosis, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia or venereal diseases such as syphilis.

Chronic inflammation can also be caused by non-infectious processes. For example, if sarcoid is a pre-existing disease, i.e. a systemic disease with remodeling of the connective tissue, this can also affect the lacrimal gland.

Inflammation can also occur here through injuries to the lacrimal gland.

Course of an inflammation of the lacrimal gland

What is the prognosis for an inflammation of the lacrimal gland?

In most cases, the lacrimal gland inflammation heals on its own after about one to two weeks.

In severe cases, however, the inflammation can spread and affect the entire eye socket. It can also develop into chronic lacrimal inflammation if the inflammation is not completely healed.