| Acute dacryocystitis
prsents as a teder swelling over the lacrimal
sac,accompanied by pain,erythema,and discharge. Various
organisms can cause dacryocystitis; Streprococcus
pneumoieae and Staphylococcus aureus are the most
frequent offenders. Bacterial infection can follow obstruction of the lacrimal system at either end of the bony nasolacrimal canal. Predisposing causes are nasal trauma,scarring from ocular surface disease, or a developmental anomaly. Systemic antibiotics are indicated in the acute phase of the inflammation. Chronic dacryocystitis producing permanent sacrring or fistula formation requires dacryocystorhinostomy. Perhaps as many as one third of newborns can have a functional impatency of the distal ends of the nasolacrimal duct,but this tends to disappear spontaneously during the first few months of life. If this impatency does not disappear,an acute or chronic dacryocystitis can ensue. Massage of the lacrimal system,combined with systemic or topical antibiotics,can be curative. If epiphora or dacryocystitis persists,gentle probing and irrigation of the lacrimal system may be necessary to restore patency. |
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Canaliculitis | Dacrycocystitis | Normal Tear Film | Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Eye Lid | Lacrimal System Disorders | Scleral Disease