Dacryocystitis is the inflammation of the lacrimal sac due to the obstruction of the tear duct, usually caused by an infectious process, although it can also be due to nasal trauma, the presence of nasal polyps, a deviated nasal septum, hypertrophic rhinitis, hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate, or a congenital disorder. In any of these cases, this condition prevents tears from being drained into the nose, causing them to accumulate and spill out of the eye
In addition to the inevitable tearing, known as epiphora, acute dacryocystitis can present with redness and edema that may have discharge in the lower eyelid, pain, conjunctivitis, and occasional fever.
When it is chronic, the only noticeable symptom may be the inflammation of the lacrimal sac and the subsequent tearing. Sometimes, pressing on the inflamed sac can produce a purulent discharge and form an abscess which, if it ruptures, becomes a fistula with suppuration.
There are three types of dacryocystitis:
Dacryocystitis must be treated as soon as possible to avoid potential complications by frequently applying warm compresses to the inflammation and using antibiotics (systemic and/or topical), which will be chosen after performing a culture and an antibiogram.
If an abscess forms, it will be necessary to drain it by making a small incision.
If treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories fails or if dacryocystitis becomes chronic with recurrent episodes, surgery will be necessary. Different techniques can be used:
In 90% of children who suffer from this ocular pathology, the cause of the tear duct obstruction usually resolves on its own between 9 and 12 months of age with the treatment of upper respiratory system pathology.
In the rest of the population, antibiotic treatment is usually effective in most cases. However, when it comes to chronic dacryocystitis, surgery is the treatment of choice.
