Dacryocystitis is inflammation of the lacrimal sac, which is the channel that leads to tears from the glands in which they are produced to the lacrimal channel, being released. Usually this inflammation is related to the blockage of the tear duct that can happen due to the presence of foreign bodies or as a consequence of diseases.
Dacryocystitis can be classified as acute or chronic according to the symptoms presented by the person and treatment should be indicated by the ophthalmologist, who usually indicates the use of eye drops specific to the situation.
Causes of dacryocystitis
The main cause of dacryocystitis is the obstruction of the tear duct, known as dacryostenosis, which can favor the proliferation of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis , Streptococcus sp ., Pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae , for example, resulting in the symptoms of dacriistitis.
This obstruction may be congenital, that is, the baby may already be born with an obstructed tear duct, and the treatment will be carried out in the first months of life, or if acquired, that is, it may arise as a consequence of diseases such as lupus, Crohn's disease, leprosy and lymphoma, for example. In addition, it can happen due to trauma, as in the case of rhinoplasty and nose fractures. Learn more about tear duct block.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of dacryocystitis can vary according to the stage of the disease, that is, whether it corresponds to acute or chronic dacryocystitis. The main symptoms related to acute dacryocystitis are:
- Increased temperature in the area; Redness; Fever, in some cases; Swelling; Pain; Watery eyes.
On the other hand, in the case of chronic dacryocystitis, the inflammation does not result in an increase in local temperature and there is no pain, however, an accumulation of secretion can be observed near the obstructed tear duct, in addition to also being associated with conjunctivitis.
The diagnosis of dacryocystitis is made by the ophthalmologist by assessing the symptoms presented by the person. In some cases, the doctor may collect the eye secretion so that it is sent to the laboratory for the bacterium to be identified and, thus, the use of a specific antibiotic eye drop may be indicated.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for dacryocystitis should be recommended by the ophthalmologist and is usually done with the use of eye drops and, depending on the severity of dacryocystitis, surgery may be necessary to unclog the tear duct. The doctor may recommend the use of anti-inflammatory eye drops, to relieve symptoms, and antibiotic eye drops, if necessary, to combat the microorganism present. Know the types of eye drops that can be recommended by the doctor.
In addition, in the case of acute dacryocystitis, it may be recommended to perform a cold compress on the affected eye, as this helps to reduce swelling and relieve symptoms. It is also important to maintain good hygiene of the eyes, cleaning them with saline, in addition to avoid putting your finger and scratching.
