Also called nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Tears cannot drain from the eye into the nose.
What it is
Tears drain from the eye through a small opening in each lid, into a sac beside the nose and down a duct into the nose. Any part can narrow or block.
Symptoms
A constantly watering eye, sticky discharge, and sometimes a swelling or repeated infection beside the nose.
Causes
Narrowing with age, previous infection or injury, nasal disease, and occasionally present from birth.
When to get it checked
Have it checked if the eye waters every day, or if there have been infections.
How it is checked
Every plan starts with an examination by a consultant, not a photograph or a questionnaire.
- Your consultant examines the lids and the drainage openings, and gently syringes the tear duct to find where the blockage is.
- What your consultant finds is explained in plain English, there and then.
- You leave with a written plan and, where treatment is right for you, a written fee.
- You are never asked to decide on the day.
If surgery is not the right answer, your consultant will say so, and explain what happens if you do nothing.
Questions patients ask
Do I need a referral?
No. You can request a consultation directly. A letter from your GP or optometrist is helpful if you have one, and your insurer may ask for it.
Will I need surgery?
Not always. Your consultant will explain whether treatment is needed, what each option involves, and what happens if you do nothing.
What happens at the consultation?
Your consultant examines the lids and the drainage openings, and gently syringes the tear duct to find where the blockage is. You leave with a written plan and fee, and time to decide.
How soon can I be seen?
The clinic team will offer the first suitable appointment, and sooner where your consultant judges it urgent.