Each of your eyelids has an aperture that drains tears generated by your eyes. Blinking forces tears into these gaps. The tears then drain into a tiny tube and subsequently into a more sizable region called the lacrimal sac. The sac connects to the tear duct, which travels around the bone structures around your nose and empties into your nasal cavity. Blockage or clogging in these areas might warrant a trip to a reputable eye clinic in Singapore for a dacryocystorhinostomy.
What is a dacryocystorhinostomy?
A dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a surgical procedure that establishes a new channel for tears to drain between the eyes and the nose. Patients with clogged tear ducts may require this procedure. DCR surgery can be done externally through a skin incision or endoscopically through the nose with no skin incision. Both strategies are equally effective.
What are the symptoms and causes of blocked tear ducts?
There are a few ways patients can determine if they have blocked or clogged tear ducts even before visiting an eye clinic in Singapore. They are:
- Constant tearing
- Eye discharge
- Experiencing pain in the tear duct or the surrounding area
Most of the time, the cause of a clogged tear duct is unknown. However, there are also other instances when the obstruction is due to a medical condition:
- Conjunctivitis
- Congenital anatomical issues
- Chronic sinus and nasal inflammation
- Tumour growth
- Nose Injuries
Approach an ophthalmologist to undertake tear duct testing. It can help identify if there is a blockage and the reason behind it. It will also help determine the proper eye treatment at the clinic in Singapore.
Why might a patient need to undergo dacryocystorhinostomy?
The eye treatment or procedure provided by Singapore clinics can alleviate the symptoms of a clogged tear duct. These symptoms include increased eye watering and crusting around the eye. If the duct becomes infected, you may have the following symptoms:
- Tenderness and swelling around your eye
- Irritation of the eyes
- discharge of mucus
Not all patients with clogged tear ducts will require undergoing DCR surgery at a clinic. You and your doctor may need to consider which DCR procedure is best for you. Inquire with your eye doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of each of your treatment options.
Adults are far more likely to receive eyelid surgery at clinics in Singapore than children. Your doctor could initially prescribe less invasive therapies. Warm compresses, massage, and antibiotics for infection are examples of treatments.
Recovering from Dacryocystorhinostomy
Inquire with your doctor about what to expect following an external DCR surgery at the clinic. There may be some soreness following the treatment, but over-the-counter pain relievers should take care of it. Antibiotics or antibiotic eye drops may be required to help avoid infection. You will need thorough follow-up treatment with your doctor to determine whether the operation was successful. Most patients can get external and endoscopic DCR procedures as outpatient procedures. If you experience significant bleeding complications, call your doctor at the eye clinic in Singapore.
Nova Eye Centre has been providing eye treatment to patients in Singapore for almost 20 years. The clinic and its staff work hard to provide patients with the best care and thorough treatment for various eye ailments. Visit Nova Eye Centre’s website to learn more about the clinic and its services.