Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy surgery
If you鈥檙e experiencing a watery, sticky eye, you may have a blocked tear duct. One of the treatments for a blocked tear duct is a surgical procedure called endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Discover why you might need an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, how to prepare for the surgery, and how it鈥檚 performed with AOA体育平台 Eye Centre.
Quick facts
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Get your consultation and care plan within 48 hours
What is it for?
Treating blocked tear ducts to improve symptoms like watery, sticky eyes
Why might I need an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy?
Your eyelids have a small opening that drains tears away from your eyes into the tear drainage tubes. These tubes run from the inner corner of the eye into the tear sac and then down into the nose.
If your tear drainage tubes become blocked, you may have symptoms such as excessive eye watering or crusting around your eye. If the duct becomes infected, you might also experience the following:
- swelling and tenderness around your eye
- eye irritation
- mucous discharge
Not everyone who has a blocked tear duct needs a dacryocystorhinostomy. For children, a doctor may first recommend less invasive treatments such as warm compresses, massage and antibiotics for an infection. In the case of an adult with severe symptoms, however, an eye specialist may recommend a dacryocystorhinostomy.
* We offer fast appointments Monday - Friday only.
Preparing for Dacryocystorhinostomy
In preparation for surgery, it鈥檚 recommended to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, and arrange for a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from the hospital. Your surgeon may ask you to temporarily stop certain medications before surgery, which they will specify. Additionally, to better understand your anatomy, your surgeon may request CT or MRI imaging of your nasal passages before the procedure.
During the Procedure
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy usually takes 15 to 30 minutes and is performed under either general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation. During surgery, the surgeon uses an endoscope to create an opening in the bone over the lacrimal sac, establishing a new passageway between the lacrimal sac and your nose. A small tube, or stent, is placed in this opening to keep it open and remains for two to 12 weeks, depending on your recovery. Occasionally, a nasal pack is placed inside the nose at the end of surgery to prevent bleeding.
Recovery and Aftercare
After surgery, you鈥檒l stay on the ward for a couple of hours before going home, or overnight if needed. If a nasal pack was used, there may be slight bleeding when it鈥檚 removed, and you鈥檒l be advised to rest in bed briefly. Mild soreness is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. For a smooth recovery, avoid blowing your nose for two weeks, don鈥檛 rub your eye, and take any prescribed medications. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess healing and remove the stent, but if you experience excessive bleeding, fever, or worsening pain, contact your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some measures you should take to prepare for any surgery. These include:
- Quitting smoking
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Getting plenty of rest
- Arranging for a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from the hospital
You may be asked to stop taking some specific medications for a certain amount of time before the surgery. Your surgeon will tell you which ones these are.
Your surgeon may also want to take some images of your nasal passages prior to the surgery via a CT or MRI scan, to get a better idea of your anatomy.
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes and is performed under either a general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation (known as 鈥榯wilight鈥� sedation).
During the surgery, the surgeon uses an endoscope to make an opening in the bone that overlies the lacrimal sac and creates a new passageway between the lacrimal sac and your nose.
The surgeon usually then places a small tube, called a stent, in the opening to help keep the passage open. This tube is left in place for two to 12 weeks and is removed once the area is healed.
Occasionally, a dressing is placed inside the nose (called a nasal pack) at the end of the surgery to avoid a nosebleed.
Surgery is usually undertaken as a day case, and you will stay on the ward for a couple of hours after surgery before discharge to recover. If you stay the night, you鈥檒l be seen by your consultant鈥檚 team the following morning.
Removal of the nasal pack may cause some slight bleeding, so you will be advised to stay in bed for one hour afterwards. Following this, you will usually be able to go home and will be provided with some medication to take with you. You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital.
You may be a little sore after the procedure, but over-the-counter pain relief should be enough to relieve the discomfort.
To support your recovery, you should take care to:
- Not blow your nose for the first two weeks after your surgery
- Not rub your eye
- Take any medication your doctor sends you home with
You should also have some follow-up appointments with your doctor to assess your recovery and to remove the stent. However, if you experience any excessive bleeding, a fever, or increasing pain or swelling, you should speak to your doctor straight away.
All surgical procedures have risks, though severe complications are relatively uncommon. These include the risk of having a reaction to the anaesthesia used, going into shock, blood clots, and haemorrhage.
As well as these, there are some specific risks associated with a dacryocystorhinostomy, including:
- Infection
- A displaced stent in the duct
- Abnormally fused tissue in the nose
- Excessive bleeding
It鈥檚 also possible that the dacryocystorhinostomy may not be effective in unblocking your tear duct.
Your surgeon will discuss possible risks with you before your procedure.
You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally.
Alternatively, you can pay for yourself (self-pay). If you are paying for yourself, we have finance options available with .
Find out more about paying for your treatment here.
To book an appointment, call us today on: 0203 553 3670