The eye on its outermost part functions as the windshield of a car that constantly needs water to allow the windshields (eyelids) to clean and wet its surface.
The tear is generated in the orbit near the eyelid and after contact with the eye it is collected in a system called the lacrimal apparatus, which consists of collection channels (the canaliculi), which transport it to a sac before sending it under the eye. skin to the nose. Suffering from repeated infections of the ocular surface (conjunctivitis most frequently) or the sac (acute dacryocystitis) can cause the scarring to close the natural drainage pathway, causing continuous overflow of the tears, a symptom called "epiphora."
The truth is that when the tear duct is blocked it can be very annoying for the patient, not only because of the continuous tearing, but also because of the fogging caused by the glasses, secondary parpebral skin irritation, or repeated infections that it causes.
The only treatment that solves the problem involves an intervention. If possible, a plastic tube (stent) can be inserted that saves the obstruction, although in many cases it is only a temporary improvement. If this measure does not work we must resort to major surgery.
In recent years the laser has become popular for this surgery; This technique has the advantage of being very fast and not requiring stitches. But despite the new technologies, the classical technique continues to show the best long-term results, although it requires stitches. In almost all cases, a silicone probe is inserted into the operation, which will be removed weeks or months later.
The only way to avoid the appearance of this problem is to go to the ophthalmologist as soon as the first symptoms of an eye infection appear, to treat it properly and avoid greater evils ...
Dr. Javier Rodríguez Martín
Medical director. - CLÍNICA NIVARIA.
Specialist in Ophthalmology.- University Hospital of the Canary Islands.