What are watery eyes?
Watery eyes (epiphora) occur when tears overflow directly onto the face due to abnormal secretion or poor drainage. While it’s normal for the eyes to water at times due to environmental causes such as cold or windy temperatures or exposure to smoke, chronic watery eyes that disrupt one’s quality of life may require specialised treatment.
Understanding the causes of watery eyes is a crucial aspect, enabling doctors to create an effective treatment plan. The potential causes may include obstructed tear ducts, the tiny tubes through which the tears flow, an infection or allergy, eyelid drooping, and dry eyes. By being aware of these causes, you can take the first step towards finding a solution. An ENT surgeon can confirm the cause through a series of diagnostic tests, which enables you to take a proactive step towards your health.
What is Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)?
Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a surgery that creates a new pathway for tears to flow from the eyes to the nose, bypassing the obstructed tear duct. This helps to treat watery eyes caused by the blockage.
While various treatments for watery eyes exist, including eye drops, antibiotic eye drops for infections, and allergy medications, surgery may be the best solution for a blocked tear duct. Dacryocystorhinostomy, whether performed externally or endoscopically, is a successful procedure, particularly when done by experienced ENT surgeons.
When do you need Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)?
If you’re experiencing ongoing watery eyes, it’s important to be aware that this could be a sign of a blocked tear duct. This condition can lead to visual impairment, eye-related discomfort, and eye infections, making it necessary to consider surgery like dacryocystorhinostomy.
Types of dacryocystorhinostomy:
- An external approach is carried out by creating an incision on the side of the nose to form a new drainage pathway.
- Endoscopic surgery is performed by carefully placing surgical instruments through the nasal entrance, reducing the need to create external incisions.
FAQ
What’s recovery like?
Each patient’s recovery experience is personalised. Temporary post-operative effects, such as pain, bruising, and swelling, may occur, but these should subside in time.
Will my eyes still water after dacryocystorhinostomy?
Yes, the eyes may still water after surgery, especially while the small stents are in place. The stents usually get removed after 6 weeks during your routine follow-up. It is painless and takes a few seconds. The tearing should subside after stent removal.