Tear duct surgery is the recommended treatment for severe cases of blocked tear ducts. An oculoplastic surgeon in Flint, Michigan, can help make this determination.
When you see an experienced surgeon, they can determine if more conventional treatments can help you. If your blockage is severe, they’ll recommend tear duct surgery, also called a Dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR.
In the hands of these experts, your blockage will be permanently redirected through expert tear duct surgery. You can expect about a week of bruising and swelling during your recovery.
At Eyelid Pros, our board-certified ophthalmic and facial plastic surgeons can perform your tear duct surgery in Flint, Michigan. Contact us for more information or to book a consultation.
When Tear Duct Surgery is Necessary
A surgical tear duct repair is a serious surgery, so your surgeon wants to make sure you really need it.
Before jumping to setting an operation date, your ophthalmic surgeon will examine your blocked tear duct. They want to know the severity of your condition so they can determine the best course of treatment. This may or may not result in surgery, depending on what your surgeon determines.
Here’s the process your surgeon takes that sometimes results in tear duct surgery:
Step One: Diagnostic Irrigation and Testing
This is the first step for determining if you need tear duct surgery. During this diagnostic evaluation, an oculoplastic surgeon conducts an irrigation test of your affected tear duct. They’ll gently flush the duct to help determine the amount of blockage. This test is needed to help understand the cause and severity of your blockage.
Step Two: Exploring Non-Surgical Options
Tear duct surgery isn’t always necessary for some patients. This is typically the case with minor blockages or those caused by an infection. In these cases, your specialist may recommend non-surgical treatments. This often includes applying warm compresses to the area and a course of antibiotics to help restore normal tear flow.
Step Three: Dacryocystorhinostomy
In more serious cases, tear duct surgery or Dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR, is recommended. This procedure creates a new way for tears to drain into the nasal cavity. Your DCR should be performed by an oculoplastic surgeon.
Tear Duct Repair: What to Expect Before, During & After
Before setting a date for your surgery, your doctor explains the entire process.
During your procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision on the side of your nose and carefully removes a small amount of bone. This critical step creates a new pathway for tears to bypass the blockage and drain directly into your nose.
To ensure this new pathway remains open as you heal, the surgeon places a small silicone tube (or stent) inside the duct. They remove this after the new channel heals within a few months.
Here’s an overview of the steps you’ll follow throughout your tear duct surgery process:
- Before Surgery: You’ll have a pre-operative appointment with your surgeon to review the procedure, get pre-op instructions, and ask questions.
- Day of the Surgery: Your anesthesiologist explains what type of medicine they will use before they administer it. Once you’re comfortable, the surgeon conducts the operation.
- After the Surgery: Once you’re fully alert and stable, your driver takes you home. You’ll follow your doctor’s post-op instructions and take prescribed medication to help manage the pain.
Contact Eyelid Pros for Tear Duct Surgery in Flint, MI
Tear duct surgery doesn’t have to be scary when you know what to expect from the process.
The best oculoplastic surgeon guides you through the process and answers your questions.
At Eyelid Pros, our doctors have years of experience performing tear duct surgery on patients throughout Genesee County.
Our surgeons have earned certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology and have completed residency training in ophthalmology. They’ve also completed fellowships in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Do you want the most comprehensive treatment for that blocked tear duct? Contact us today to start the process.
