Treatment Watery eyes

Dry eyes

Dry eyes are very common in the population over 50 years old, especially in women. Tear production decreases and the cornea becomes more sensitive (red, painful and burning). As a reflex, the lacrimal gland produces (too) much tear fluid, causing the eye to water.

Whether an initial lack of tear production is the cause of the excess tears is tested by administering artificial tears. If the effect is favorable, the ophthalmologist can close the tear points with punctum plugs, so that the eye’s own tear fluid remains better on the eye and (lifelong) frequent daily dripping is often no longer necessary.

Drainage obstruction

A blockage or closure of the tear ducts causes watery eyes, because the drainage system for the tear fluid is clogged or does not work sufficiently.

Symptoms

The most common complaint of a blockage of the tear ducts is a watery eye. The excess tear fluid often accumulates in the inner corner of the eye and flows away over the eyelid margin. Because tears protect the surface of the eye from infection, recurring eye infections can be a sign of a tear duct blockage. In case of inflammation of the tear ducts or tear sac, a painful red swelling may develop in the corner of the eye on the side of the nose. When pressure is placed on the tear sac, mucus or pus can come out of the drainage ducts.

For whom?

Patients who have complaints of a watery eye. There are several causes for this, such as:

  • too much tear production;
  • a functional disorder of the tear pump of the eyelids;
  • a narrowed or blocked tear duct.

The procedure

Anel test; First, a tear point is carefully widened with a blunt cannula. Then, a small amount of saline solution is injected into the tear duct through a very fine tube. When the water enters the mouth via the nose and/or throat and is tasted there, the tear ducts are not completely closed. They usually remain (better) open after the treatment. If no water flows through to the nose or throat under pressure, there is a complete blockage.

3 snip; If the tear duct is narrowed or closed, one can try to stretch the tear duct or widen it permanently and thus get the eyelid to fit better against the eye. In the case of a blocked tear duct, it is often the case that there are even more blockages in the tear ducts. This can only be detected after the tear duct in the lower eyelid has been opened.

After the procedure

You can do everything again. You have no limitations. You often get a prescription for eye drops to use for 1 week.