Blocked Tear Duct in Phoenix & Chandler, AZ

Aa blocked tear duct might not pose a significant medical threat to your overall sense of well-being, but it can still be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition. Let the experts at Elite Plastic Surgery help you find relief from tear duct blockage.

Liberate Your Blocked Tear Ducts

While you might not think too frequently about your tear ducts or the role they play in your everyday bodily function, a blocked tear duct is certainly something you’ll notice. Blocked tear ducts can cause a variety of frustrating symptoms and can be caused by any number of factors ranging from the internal to the external. If you think that you might be experiencing a blocked tear duct, the only way to be certain is to consult with one of the experts at Elite Plastic Surgery. When you visit us at our Chandler or Phoenix locations, you’ll work directly with a highly experienced facial surgeon who can help you understand your condition and work with you to develop a treatment plan that frees you from the discomfort associated with a blocked tear duct. Interested in learning more about how Elite Plastic Surgery can help? Reach out to our offices and speak with a helpful staff member to set up your initial consultation today.

Do I Have a Blocked Tear Duct?

We typically think of our eyes as producing tears when we cry, but the truth is that your eyes are constantly producing tears to keep your corneas lubricated and protected. Your eyes have very small openings that drain your tears into a very small tube that leads to something known as the lacrimal sac. This sac then feeds the tears into your tear duct, which then drains your tears into a cavity located near your nose.

A blocked tear duct can cause issues like excessive tearing and eye discharge, as well as pain near the location of your tear duct or in the rest of the surrounding area. In many cases, the cause of a blocked tear duct is unknown, but the condition can be caused by issues like chronic sinus or nasal infections, trauma to the nose, conjunctivitis, and more. Once we’ve diagnosed your blocked tear duct, we can help you find the relief you deserve.

Available Treatment Options

According to the specifics of your blocked tear duct, your surgeon will employ one of two surgical techniques to remedy the issue. During your in-person consultation, your surgeon will explain the procedure in detail, answer any questions you might have about the operation itself, and give you a clear idea of what you can expect both before and after the day of your surgery.

Dacryocystorhinostomy

This procedure can be performed either externally or endoscopically and involves creating a small opening that connects the lacrimal sac with the nasal cavity. By doing this, your surgeon can effectively bypass the tear duct blockage and will place a small tube to help keep the new duct open. The external method involves an incision made just under the eye and next to the nose, while the endoscopic method is performed through the nose with no external incision.

Balloon Dacryoplasty with Stent Placement

For this particular treatment, your surgeon will create an opening that enables him to pass a small inflatable balloon into the blocked tear duct. The use of a guide wire will help him carefully insert the balloon before it is inflated for about 90 seconds. This helps to dilate the tear duct and address any obstruction that may be present. A stent will also be placed to help keep the passage open once the procedure is complete so you can enjoy lasting relief.

Count on the Experts at Elite Plastic Surgery

If you’re experiencing a blocked tear duct—or other conditions related to the eyes—you can trust the team at Elite Plastic Surgery to help you find the relief you need to once more enjoy your fullest possible quality of life. Our expert surgeons come with board certification and an extensive level of training, so you can look forward to a truly elevated experience when visiting our clinic. To learn more, reach out to us at our Phoenix or Chandler office and speak with a helpful member of our support staff to schedule your initial appointment.