Suggest Treatment For Chronic Dacryocystitis

Posted on Mon, 27 Apr 2015

Question: I have had for over a year a greenish light yellow discharge from the extreme corners of both eyes. It does not hurt but cosmetically it looks horrible. What is it and what can be done? An optician has suggested that it might be leaking from rear of eyes. I have previously suffered a bout of severe double vision but doctor thinks this is unconnected. However, the problem arose shortly after I suffered an attack of Bells Palsy which made part of the left side of my neck with severe pain. This has passed now.

An eye specialist has suggested that the discharge can be removed by an operation but that there is a high risk of injuring the tear duct. He suggested that the discharge may eventually clear up but there is no sign of that.

I am concerned that the discharged substance may cover the iris and thus affect my eye sight. Can you tell me the technical name for this disorder and whether there are any effective remedies? I am aged 73 and otherwise in good health.

XXXXXXX XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is inflammation of lacrimal sac called as dacryocystitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic

I am Dr Dadapeer k an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
I reviewed your history.

It seems from the history that you are having discharge from the corners of the eyes.
These symptoms indicate chronic dacryocystitis. This is because of obstruction to the flow of tears from eye to lacrimal sac and infection of the stagnant tears.

The treatment is mainly by surgery in the from of dacryocystorhinostomy or dacryocystectomy.
Since the discharge is yellow the spread of infection to other parts of the eye can be prevented by the use of topical antibiotic eye drops.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)

Dear Dr Dadapeer K,

Many thanks for your prompt response which raises three further questions.
You state that treatment is mainly by surgery; are there any risks?

You seem to suggest that there are other forms of treatment; can you advise?
In your opinion what do you think caused the onset of the discharge?

Many thanks
XXXXXXX XXXX
If I opted for surgery, can you advise if dacrocystitis will occur again. If I do not submit to surgery, is it likely that the "leakage" will disappear of their own accord?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Dacryocystorhinostomy is the definitive treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

Please find the answers for your questions.

The definitive and curative treatment is by surgery. The risks are minimal and no need to be worried about them.

If you do not want to go for surgery,you can opt for laser dacryocystorhinostomy.

The presence of discharge indicate infection and this will respond to treatment by the use of antibiotic eye drops.

There are 10-20% chances are there that dacryocystitis can recur after dacryocystorhinostomy surgery.

The watering will not disappear completley if no treatment is taken. But infection can be treated by the use of antibiotic eye drops.

There are basically two types of surgery, dacryocystorhinostomy, which treats the condition by re-establishing the drainage and there will not be any watering following this surgery.
Dacryocystectomy treats by removing the lacrimal sac, but this cause watering. The advantage of this surgery is this will prevent future infections.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar