Tear Drainage Infection - Its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What Is Tear Drainage Infection?

Tear drainage infection is the infection of the lacrimal sac (tear sac) of the eyes. The lacrimal sac is the place where the tears are stored. Tears leave this part of the eye to enter the eye. It may also be known as dacryocystitis. Tears play an important role in preventing eye infections. They have anti-bacterial properties that help in preventing bacterial infections. The lacrimal glands are present in the upper eyelids. Tears assist with keeping the eyes hydrated, clean, and clear from microscopic organisms. The lacrimal organs under the upper eyelids produce tears, which move through little openings to the front of the eye. Each time one blinks, the tears spread across the eyes. The old fluid drains through a puncta channel toward the edges of the upper and lower eyelids. This allows the entry of fresh tears. Then it moves through the nasolacrimal sac into the tear duct and the back of the nose. If this tear duct is blocked, tears may accumulate in the duct instead of draining. This accumulation may be conducive to bacterial growth. Depending on the severity of the blockage, this condition can be acute or chronic. The symptoms of this condition can be similar to any other eye infection. This condition can occur in one or both eyes.

What Is the Occurrence of Tear Drainage Infection?

Tear duct infection most commonly occurs in children who have blocked tear ducts since birth. This condition is referred to as congenital Dacryocystitis. Tear drainage infection is also more common among women due to narrow facial features. This occurrence of this condition increases with age.

What Are the Causes of Tear Drainage Infection?

Tear drainage infection could be caused due to blockage of the tear ducts. This could be due to:

1. Injury: Any injury to the face or the nose can cause breakage of the bony fragments. These broken bony pieces can obstruct the lacrimal canal or duct leading to tearing stagnation. This may in turn lead to infection.

2. Nasal Polyps: Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growth inside the nose. This can act as a blockage to the tear drainage system leading to infection.

3. Sinusitis: Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavity. Sometimes when the sinus cavity is infected, it could lead to tearing duct blockage which may, in turn, lead to an infection.

4. Foreign Body: Any foreign body in the lacrimal sac could lead to stagnation of the tears due to blockage. This can lead to bacterial infection.

5. Tumor: Any tumor in the lacrimal pathway can cause blockage of the duct. This can lead to infection of the lacrimal gland.

6. Deviated Septum: It refers to the condition where the wall separating the nostrils deviate. This can cause blockage and infection of the tear duct.

7. Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: It is a condition where the swelling of the bony part occurs. This helps to humidify the air. This swelling may block the tear drainage leading to infection.

Tear drainage infection can be acute or chronic:

• Acute Infection: Acute infection of the tear drainage may develop suddenly. It may be accompanied by pain, pus drainage, and swelling. Antibiotics may give relief from this condition.

• Chronic Infection: In chronic infection, the condition may develop slowly over a period of time. The symptoms may be less severe compared to the acute variant. This type of infection usually presents with pain in the corner of the eye.

What Are the Symptoms of Tear Drainage Infection?

The symptoms of this condition may include:

1. Pain: The tear drainage infection has pain as one of its symptoms. This pain usually occurs in the eye's corner towards the nose.

2. Redness: The tear drainage infection is associated with the redness of the eye. The redness is due to inflammation due to bacterial infection.

3. Swelling: A tear drainage infection may be associated with swelling of the lacrimal duct. This swelling usually presents itself in the upper eyelid and the corner of the eye.

4. Watery Eyes: The watery eyes can be due to the blocked drainage of the eyes.

5. Pus Discharge: This infection is typically associated with pus drainage of the eyes. This is a characteristic feature of bacterial infection.

6. Fever: Tear drainage infection may be associated with fever due to the underlying infection.

7. Excessive Tearing: Excessive tearing could be one of the symptoms of tear drainage infection. Excessive tearing may be caused due to the blocked tear duct.

How to Diagnose Tear Drainage Infection?

Tear drainage infection could be diagnosed by a physician by evaluating the clinical features and symptoms of the patient. Other than evaluating the symptoms such as swelling and redness, the doctor may check for the following:

1. The doctor may collect the pus by pressing on the lacrimal sac. The pus so collected may be sent for bacterial culture. Based on the culture results, the doctor may give appropriate treatment.

2. The doctor may perform something called a dye disappearance test. A yellow color dye will be placed at the corner of the eye. In the case of a normal duct, the dye will disappear in a few minutes. In the case of a blocked duct, the dye will continue to be present in the eye. To check for partial or complete blockage, the doctor may insert a swab in the nose. If the dye has passed through the nose, it may be referred to as a partial blockage.

How to Treat Tear Drainage Infection?

Tear duct infections can be treated using antibiotics. Antibiotics help clear up bacterial infections. The antibiotics can be prescribed either in drop form or as tablets. In case of severe infections, I.V (intravenous) drugs may also be prescribed. Once the infection clears up, the procedure to clear the ductal blockage may be undertaken. This is small surgery performed through endoscopy. The duct may be widened using small equipment. Widening the duct allows the tears to drain effectively.

What Are the Complications of Tear Drainage Infection?

Acute infections can become chronic if appropriate treatment is not given. It may spread through other parts of the body, such as the eye socket and the brain. This infection can even turn into septicemia. Tear duct infection can be prevented by maintaining cleanliness. Hand hygiene plays a very important role in preventing infection. In case of recurrent eye infections, treatment should be obtained at the earliest to prevent it from becoming chronic and its complications.

Conclusion:

Tear drainage infection occurs due to tear duct blockage. It may be caused due to bacteria. When given appropriate treatment, this condition recovers quickly, and its complications can also be prevented. If it is a recurrent phenomenon, appropriate treatment should be given soon to prevent it from becoming chronic.