Blocked Tear Duct Symptoms, Causes &
Solutions Assessed By Certified Surgeon
We don't often think about our tear ducts, they're just another part of our
body that works automatically - but in some cases, they can become
blocked and require surgery.
Dr. Harvey “Chip” Cole III, MD,
FACS, Quadruple Board Certified
Surgeon, explains the
procedures, risks, and recovery
process after the operation.
The procedure, known as a
dacryocystorhinostomy, can be
performed either externally or
internally using endoscopic tools -
and both options have benefits and
downsides.
Though the surgery has a
95% success rate when
completed externally, there
is a very slight risk of a
patient being left with
prominent scarring on their
face.
The internal procedure uses
endoscopic tools inserted
through the nasal cavity to
reduce the risk of scarring,
but carries a slightly lower
chance of success, at 85%.
While the procedure to correct a blocked tear duct is generally quite safe, no
surgery is entirely without risk, and up to 5% of patients may require a
second surgery.
Dr. Chip Cole is an oculoplastic specialist with over
33 years of experience and 33,000 completed
surgeries. Visit his page to learn more about
common surgeries, and your options.
Visit
https://oculusplasticsurgery.com/procedur
es/surgical-procedures/