Chronic dacryocystitis is an inflammatory disease in which there is a blockage of the lacrimal canal, as a result of which there is constant lacrimation, redness, suppuration and swelling of the eye. Pathology is common and accounts for about 10% of all ophthalmic problems. It is diagnosed twice as often in women than in men.
Development reasons
Chronic dacryocystitis in adults develops as a result of constant contact of the mucous membrane of the eye with viral, infectious and parasitic representatives. Often the provoking factor is trauma, the presence of a foreign body, progressive infectious and inflammatory diseases, such as conjunctivitis.
The high prevalence of pathology is due to the fact that it provokes edema of the surrounding tissues of the organ. It is always formed during acute respiratory viral infections, with rhinitis, sinusitis, and hay fever. If there was a previous nose fracture or trauma to the bones of the orbit, then chronic eye dacryocystitis may gradually develop.
All this leads to a thickening of the membrane, which creates a certain barrier to the normal outflow of biological fluid. Since tears constantly accumulate in the bag, and are not brought out, favorable conditions for the active life of pathogenic microflora are created there.
Clinical picture
Chronic purulent dacryocystitis acts as a complication, if the primary acute form of the disease has not been cured, therapeutic measures have helped to eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms. At the very beginning of the development of pathology, any pronounced signs are absent.
A person feels only a slight bursting in the area of localization of the lacrimal sac, and a swelling also appears. The painful syndrome is gradually increasing, the feeling of discomfort becomes more pronounced. If you press on the pathological area, purulent-mucous fluid will begin to stand out, and constant lacrimation will also occur.
If treatment is not started, chronic dacryocystitis will form. At this stage, reddening of the skin is already observed. Tearing intensifies with prolonged exposure to air, frost and wind, when working in a brightly lit room. The danger lies in the fact that if pus enters the cornea of the eye, an ulcer will begin to develop.
Conservative treatment
Pathology can be identified by performing an x-ray, which will indicate the place of blockage of the channel. If chronic dacryocystitis is diagnosed in time, then initially experts suggest conservative therapy. It consists in washing the bag and pathways through the introduction of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive agents.
A good result is a regular massage of the affected area. How to do it correctly, the attending physician will tell. When contacting a modern clinic, physiotherapy sessions are recommended, for example, irradiation of the mucous membranes of the nose and the bag itself with a low-energy helium-neon laser. This will help to recover faster.
Surgical intervention
Advanced chronic dacryocystitis in adults can be treated by sounding. The main symptom of the disease is considered a pronounced blockage of the lacrimal duct. If the blockade is complete (the tool cannot be advanced along the canal due to scar formation), accordingly, drainage will not work, therefore, surgical intervention is prescribed.
The operation involves the creation of a new lacrimal canal. According to the execution technique, it is complex, while the main danger is considered to be a high probability of future formation of a fistula (hole) between the lacrimal sac and other cavities. It can be performed with a laser or conventional metal tools.
Specialists often recommend laser endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy to their patients. During its implementation, a hole is created that will connect the cavity of the nasal canal and the lacrimal sac. Since the intervention is carried out through the nasal cavity, after it there will be no scars or scars on the face.
Prognosis for recovery
Chronic dacryocystitis is a neglected form of the disease. The probability of a full recovery directly depends on when the pathology was diagnosed and how timely the treatment was carried out. In the case of careful attention to your health and compliance with medical recommendations, you can completely get rid of the disease.
In general, doctors assure that in most clinical cases, surgical or conservative methods of treatment lead to a favorable outcome. However, a certain likelihood of developing complications still remains. Among them are the formation of eyesore, decreased visual acuity, inflammation in the structure of the organ.
Prevention of Dacryocystitis
The main preventive measure is the timely treatment of all respiratory viral as well as infectious diseases affecting the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and eyes. It is equally important to prevent the entry of a foreign body, or injury, if possible.
It is not recommended to treat chronic forms of dacryocystitis with traditional medicine recipes. They can be used only with the permission of a doctor, solely as an additional therapeutic measure. Otherwise, there is a risk of aggravation of the situation and the development of serious complications.