Our bodies function on a very thin balance and any external or internal imbalances can affect our bodies. Our eyes are even more fragile than the rest of our body and hence need extra care and protection. You may have noticed how climate, allergens, pollutants and even dust causes your eyes to feel dry, red and itchy. There are many such eye conditions that can occur due to exposure to harmful substances or internal imbalances. One such condition is Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction. This scientific term means a blocked tear duct.
Tears drain from the corners of our eyes. These corners have tiny openings, and this liquid drains into your nose where the body absorbs it. When a tear duct is blocked, it often indicates an obstruction in our nasal passages. Since the eyes and the nose are deeply interconnected, any obstructions in one lead to effects in the other. To better understand this, let’s understand the mechanisms that make our tear systems work.
Our tear system works as a natural lubricant for the eyes and keeps them slightly wet. The natural balance ensures that your eyes don’t tear up involuntarily and get too watery. Our tear system is made of three parts, which include the Lacrimal glands that produce tears. The Punch, which are the small openings from which tears flow out. These are located at the corner of each eye. The Nasolacrimal ducts are the connecting ducts that are a bridge between the puncta and the nose. The fluid from your eyes drains into your nose with the help of this duct. This draining occurs because the Nasolacrimal ducts are present beneath our skin and connect our facial bones to our noses.
What Causes A Blocked Tear Duct?
Blocked tear ducts can occur for a number of reasons. Some of these are:
- Older adults are often more prone to blocked tear ducts since their puncta narrows with age.
- In young children, blocked tear ducts might be caused due to narrow tear ducts that are not fully formed at the time of birth. This condition is known as congenital blockage.
- Infections such as sinus, that effect the air passages and the nasal system, can also lead to blocked tear ducts.
- If you experience an eye injury, then the chances of a blocked tear duct increase. This is because eye injuries will often make you susceptible to infections.
- A blocked tear duct is often caused by benign conditions but, in some cases, could indicate a deeper issue. Tumors anywhere near the tear ducts or the nose can lead to a blockage.
- While anyone can suffer from a blocked tear duct, some people are more susceptible to the condition. For instance, newborns often suffer from this, but the condition usually heals without extensive treatment. Adults who suffer from uveitis or chronic eye inflammation, glaucoma, sinus or people who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy have a higher probability of developing the condition.
What Are The Common Symptoms of A Blocked Tear Duct?
Blocked tear ducts show slightly different symptoms in adults and children. In adults, blocked tear ducts often manifest as:
- Blurring of vision.
- Formation of crusts around the eyelids.
- Formation and drainage of pus around the eyes.
- Redness in the eyes.
- Swelling in the inner corner of the eyes.
In infants, noticing a blocked tear duct is much harder. This is because infants don’t start producing tears until they turn a few weeks old. So you might not notice the symptoms immediately, but eventually, these symptoms may present themselves.
- Itching and redness around the eyes which is further aggravated as the infants rub their eyes.
- Tears drain on the baby’s cheeks.
- Sometimes, tears may cannot drain but pool around the baby’s eyes instead.
- Mucus or yellow discharge may also be present around the baby’s eye.
How Is Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Treated In Adults?
Blocked tear ducts are easy to treat in most cases. Yet your primary ophthalmologist will work on determining the exact cause before starting treatment. The most common treatment options for people with blocked tear ducts include.
Stenting – Here a small tub is placed through the tear holes or puncta. This tube then helps in draining the tears. Often the tube is placed in the eye for a period of 3 months.
Medications – Eyedrops or antibiotics are prescribed in cases where the blockage is caused by an eye infection.
Dilation, probing, and flushing – In this case, a small probe sends fluid through the tear duct. This process is known as flushing and removes the blockage.
Where Can I Treat Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Gurgaon?
Blocked tear ducts can be easily managed and treated when you visit the right treatment center. Noble Eye Care is one such specialized eye center in Gurgaon, offering treatment to patients suffering from blocked tear ducts. This eye hospital is well-staffed and equipped with advanced equipment. This eye center is headed by Dr. Digvijay Singh, who is an alumnus of AIIMS, Delhi. With 15 years of experience, Dr. Digvijay Singh has published a range of papers and a book on the science of ophthalmology. He has also gained specializations in Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus, Glaucoma, and Neuro-ophthalmology. You can book an appointment with the doctor by contacting Noble Eye Care. Make sure you treat Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction at this eye center in Gurgaon before the condition becomes worse and affects your eye health.
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