Dacryocystitis
We make tears for two different reasons. Sometimes tears come from feeling happy or feeling sad or just feeling overwhelmed. But most of the time tears are doing something important: they keep our eyes moist.
This type of production usually goes completely unnoticed yet it does a lot of work. Tears keep the eyes surface wet they wash away dust and dirt. They help prevent our eyes from getting dry. Without tears our eyes would start feeling rough and irritated in a few hours.
So where do all these tears actually go?
They do not just sit there or spill over. They follow their little drainage system that works all day every day.
Here is how it works: tears go through openings in the eyelids called puncta they collect in a small pouch called the tear sac and then they go down into the nose. That is actually why our nose runs when we cry. It is all part of the pathway. Normally this drainage happens all the time. We never even notice it.
Sometimes this pathway gets blocked. When that happens tears have nowhere to go. Of draining away, they start pooling in the tear sac. And stagnant fluid sitting in one place for long is exactly the kind of environment where infections happen.
What is dacryocystitis?
This build-up and infection is what is known as dacryocystitis. An infection of the tear sac, located near the corner of the eye. Once tears stop draining and start accumulating it does not take long for the area to become inflamed and infected.
Why does the blockage happen in the place?
There is not one reason. Sometimes the drainage pathway is narrow from birth. This is especially common in babies. In adults it usually develops later due to age, inflammation, an old injury or even nearby issues in the nose or sinuses that affect the tear duct.
Why it matters
It is easy to think this is a problem in the eye but dacryocystitis can cause real discomfort. Swelling, redness and tenderness near the inner corner of the eye along, with discharge or excessive watering. And if it is left untreated the infection does not just go away on its own. It tends to worsen or keep coming. That is why catching dacryocystitis early really does make a difference.
Signs & symptoms
- Swelling near the inner corner of the eye
- Pain or tenderness over the tear sac
- Excessive watering of the eye
- Sticky discharge or pus
- Crusting of the eyelids
- Blurred vision due to tearing or discharge
- Fever in severe infections
Types of dacryocystitis
- Acute: Sudden pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness
- Chronic: Persistent watering, discharge, and recurrent infections
- Congenital: Occurs in infants due to a blocked tear duct present since birth
Causes
- Chronic inflammation
- Infections
- Injury
- Previous eye or nasal surgery
- Congenital blockage in newborns
Diagnosis
- Detailed eye examination
- Tear sac examination for discharge
- Lacrimal syringing and probing
- Imaging tests when required
Treatment
- Antibiotics
- Warm compresses
- Lacrimal sac massage
- Drainage of pus if present
- DCR (Dacryocystorhinostomy) surgery to restore tear drainage
Why is treatment important?
Untreated dacryocystitis can lead to recurrent infections, abscess formation, spread of infection, persistent watering, and ongoing discomfort.
When should you consult an eye doctor?
Seek medical advice if you have:
- Persistent watering of the eye
- Swelling near the inner corner of the eye
- Pain, redness, or discharge
- Recurrent eye infections
- A swelling that becomes suddenly painful
At KD Eye Centre, we have experienced and trained specialists who carefully evaluate the tear drainage system to identify the exact cause of the blockage. Based on this assessment, we guide you through the most suitable treatment options, helping you get lasting relief instead of dealing with recurring discomfort and infection.
Seek urgent medical attention if fever, severe swelling, or rapidly worsening symptoms develop.