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What is nasolacrimal duct obstruction?
Tears usually drain away from the eye through small holes on the eyelid called puncta, then into the tear duct which opens into the nose. If the duct is narrow (stenosed) or blocked, heavy tearing may result. Washing of the drainage system is done in office to decide if the tear duct is blocked.
Treatments for blocked tear duct are stenting with silicone tube (for partial blockage). A dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is done for more severe blockage.
What is silicone intubation?
A very thin silicone tube is passed through the opening of the tear drain in the upper and lower eyelids. It is passed down the tear duct and may be secured with a suture to the inside of the nose. The tube is kept in place after the procedure to help open the drainage path. This is done in an operating room under sedation. It takes less than 1 hour.
How long does the tube stay in?
The tube will stay in place for about 3-6 months. It will depend on the degree and location of the blockage. The tube may be removed in office.
After the Procedure
Use prescription drops and ointment as ordered by your doctor. They are decreased over 2 weeks. You may have some bloody drainage from your nose for a few days.
Avoid rubbing the inner corner of your eye, forceful nose blowing, nose picking or poking at the tube. This could cause the tube to come out sooner than planned and limit the success of the procedure.
What should I do if my nose is congested after?
You can use over-the-counter nasal saline as needed. You may also use Afrin®, but no longer than 3 days.
What does it look like?
You may notice a clear plastic tube connecting at the inner corner of your eye. Most people can barely see it.
Why am I still tearing?
Most patients will notice that their tearing improves a lot. Some patients may still have watering until the tube is taken out. For a small group of patients (about 10%), the tearing is worse when the tubing is in place. Most, patients notice decline in the extra tearing by the time the tubing has been removed.
What should I do if the tube comes out?
The tube should stay in place without problems. If the tube becomes does come out, you may notice a loop of tubing coming from the corner of your eye. Tape the loop to your nose and call the doctor’s office.
Do not pull it out or cut it.
Who to Call
If you have more questions,
call our office at 608-263-7171