Blocked Tear Ducts: Endoscopic and Laser Dacryocystorhinostomy - Topic Overview
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is a type of surgery sometimes used to treat blocked tear ducts in adults. It is rarely used in children. During this procedure, an endoscope, a thin flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end, is inserted through the tear duct opening (punctum) at the inner corner of the eyelid. This allows the surgeon to see where the tear duct is supposed to exit inside the nostril.
An incision is made at the point where the fiber-optic light shines through the blocked tear duct. The incision opens a new passageway between the tear duct sac and the nasal cavity. The incision is performed through the endoscope inside the nostril. There is no visible scarring after surgery.
An Overview of Refractive and Laser Eye Surgery
Vision correction surgery, also called refractive and laser eye surgery, is any surgical procedure used to correct vision problems. In recent years, tremendous advancements have been made in this field. After refractive and laser eye surgery, many patients report seeing better than they had at any other time in their lives. Most types of vision correction surgery work by reshaping the cornea, or clear front part of the eye, so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina...
Read the An Overview of Refractive and Laser Eye Surgery article > >
This procedure may be done as an alternative to a standard dacryocystorhinostomy, which creates a new drainage canal.
Laser dacryocystorhinostomy uses an endoscope that also contains a laser, which is an intense, narrow beam of light that can cut through body tissues. The laser in the endoscope makes a hole in the nasal bone, creating a connection between the tear duct sac and the nasal cavity.
Compared with similar types of surgery, laser dacryocystorhinostomy:
- Causes less bleeding.
- Does not always require general anesthesia.
- Can be done in a doctor's office.
But this type of surgery:
- Is often more expensive.
- Takes longer to do.
- Requires more specialized surgical skills.
Laser dacryocystorhinostomy may not be possible in some people.
Endoscopic and laser dacryocystorhinostomy are not as successful in opening blocked tear ducts as standard dacryocystorhinostomy.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Blocked Tear Ducts: Endoscopic and Laser Dacryocystorhinostomy Topics
On Eye Health
Today in Eye Health
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.