Tearing

Tearing occurs when your eyes produce excessive tears. It’s often caused by blocked tear ducts, which can increase your risk of eye infections. Tears normally drain through tiny passageways in your eyelids. With blocked tear ducts, excessive tears accumulate on your eye’s surface and can cause unpleasant symptoms.

The following signs and symptoms can indicate a blocked tear duct:

• Redness in the whites of your eyes

• Excessive tearing

• Chronic eye infections or inflammation

• Crusting in your eyelids

• Painful swelling

• Blurry vision

• Pus or mucus drainage

If tearing is severe or doesn’t subside after a few days, see Dr. Rodgers for evaluation and treatment.

Anybody can develop excessive tearing, but some common factors increase your risk. Examples include genetics, age-related changes, chronic eye infections, eye injuries, inflammatory problems, or a tumor. Long-term use of eyedrops and certain cancer treatments can also cause tearing.

To diagnose the cause of tearing, including a blocked tear duct, Dr. Rodgers reviews your medical history and asks questions about your symptoms. He examines your eyes and the inside of your nose. 

Dr. Rodgers might recommend tear drainage tests, irrigation and probing, or eye imaging procedures like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment.

To treat excessive tearing caused by a blocked tear duct, Dr. Rodgers performs dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR, to create a new passageway for your tears to drain. He first numbs the area and offers you a sedative. Dr. Rodgers performs DCRs with and without incisions. 

He might use a surgical endoscope and insert drainage tubes during your procedure, and remove them at subsequent in-office visits. Dr. Rodgers uses the latest advances in technology and techniques to ensure optimal results. If you have an eye infection, he can prescribe antibiotic pills or eyedrops.

After the procedure, follow all post-care instructions. You can go home the same day as your surgery, but plan to have someone drive you there. Take over-the-counter medications to relieve discomfort, and keep the treatment area clean. Avoid strenuous activity until Dr. Rodgers says it’s okay, and attend follow-up appointments, so he can monitor healing.

Don’t live with excessive tearing and painful eye irritation associated with a blocked tear duct. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Rodgers by phone or online today.