Dacryocystitis is an inflammation of the lacrimal canal located between the inner corner of the eye and the septum of the nose. The main symptom of such inflammation is the obstruction of the lacrimal duct. Usually, dacryocystitis is formed due to obstruction of the duct of lacrimal secretions in the sinuses of the nose. At the same time, pathogenic bacteria accumulate in the lacrimal canal, leading to an accelerated development of the inflammatory process. Inflammation can develop in two main forms: acute and chronic.
There are several reasons for inflammation of the lacrimal canal:
- congenital obstruction of the lacrimal ducts;
- damage to the lacrimal ducts;
- infectious ophthalmic diseases and their exacerbation, as well as negative consequences after them.
Often, infection of the lacrimal canal occurs in newborns. For this type of inflammation , ophthalmologists have even introduced a special term - inflammation of the lacrimal canal or dacryocystitis of newborns. Sometimes, due to hypoplasia of the lacrimal ducts in infants, their obstruction is formed. Secondary infection is also not uncommon, and then inflammation. However, the situation changes radically over time, as the child’s body develops and acquires new abilities to fight inflammation. The situation is completely different with adult patients. Dacryocystitis can be caused by a complication after an injury or an infection of the sinuses. There are cases when inflammation of the lacrimal canal occurs even after a simple cold. And very often, the cause of dacryocystitis remains unknown.
The following clinical symptoms of dacryocystitis can be called:
- most often one-sided, that is, only one eye or even one side of the entire face becomes inflamed;
- very strong lacrimation is noted;
- also manifests itself in intense redness, swelling and painful pain in the region of the inner corner of the eye;
- noticeable discharge from the eye.
Inflammation of the lacrimal canal: treatment
Diagnose dacryocystitis as follows. Firstly, the degree of infection and the presence of an accompanying ophthalmic disease are determined. Therapy of dacryocystitis is directly dependent on the age of the patient, the form of the disease (acute or chronic) and the reasons for its development.
If the inflammation of the lacrimal canal is diagnosed in a child, he is usually prescribed a massage in the area of the lacrimal ducts in order to rid the nasal cavity of the obstructions for the release of lacrimal fluid. In addition, antibacterial drops are instilled into the eyes of the child, and ointments are also used to reduce inflammation. If drug treatment does not help, resort to surgery.
Before the operation, the patient is prescribed a strong antiseptic treatment to exclude the possibility of complications after an infectious disease. Particular attention must be paid to the possibility of negative consequences for the brain. The fact is that venous blood can leak through the infected area and then enter the brain, which is most likely to cause the development of a brain abscess or purulent encephalitis. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, the essence of the operation is to restore a healthy duct between the nasal cavity and the conjunctival cavity.
Treatment of an infected lacrimal canal of an adult patient includes washing the lacrimal ducts with antibacterial solutions. If the therapy does not have the proper effect or the inflammation of the lacrimal duct becomes chronic, the adult also needs surgical intervention. In this case, an endoscopic treatment method is used when an incision is made in the nasal mucosa. This method is painless compared to surgery when there is an external incision, not an internal one.