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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffSome of the tests used to diagnose a blocked tear duct include:
- Fluorescein dye disappearance test. To test how your tears are draining, one drop of a special dye is placed in each eye. If there's a significant amount of dye in your eye after five minutes of normal blinking, you may have a blocked tear duct.
- Irrigation and probing. Your doctor may flush a saline solution through your tear duct system to check how it's draining, or use a slender instrument (probe) inserted through the tiny drainage holes at the corner of your eye (puncta) to check for blockages.
- Dacryocystography or dacryoscintigraphy. In these procedures, a contrast dye is passed from your puncta in the corner of your eye through your tear drainage system. Then, X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are taken to find the location and cause of the blockage.
References
- DelGaudio JM, et al. Nasolacrimal duct orifice cysts in adults: A previously unrecognized, easily treatable cause of epiphora. The Laryngoscope. 2007;117(10):1830-1833.
- Casady DR, et al. Stepwise treatment paradigm for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2006;22(4):243-247.
- Goldstein SM, et al. Comparison of monocanalicular stenting and balloon dacryoplasty in secondary treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after failed primary probing. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2004;20(5):352-357.
- Becelli R et al. Posttraumatic obstruction of lacrimal pathways: A retrospective analysis of 58 consecutive naso-orbitoethmoid fractures. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2004;15(1):29-33.
- Mandeville JT et al. Obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2002;13(5):303-309.
- Tan AD, et al. Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. International Ophthalmology Clinics. 2001;41(4):57-69.
- Mills DM, et al. Acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2006;39(5):979-999.
- Kapadia MK, et al. Evaluation and management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2006;39(5):959-977.
- Woog JJ, et al. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and conjuctivodacryocystorhinostomy. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2006;39(5):1001-1017.
- Hurwitz JJ. The Lacrimal drainage system. In: Yanoff. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.:Mosby Inc.; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104049824-3/744373637/1197/56.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01634-0..50102-4_2729. Accessed July 29, 2008.
