- Abnormalities of the Pupil
- Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis (AKC)
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (periocular)
- Blepharitis (Lid Margin Disease)
- CL-associated Papillary Conjunctivitis (CLAPC), Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
- Cellulitis, preseptal and orbital
- Chalazion (Meibomian cyst)
- Concretions
- Conjunctival pigmented lesions
- Conjunctival scarring
- Conjunctivitis (Acute Allergic)
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
- Conjunctivitis (viral, non-herpetic)
- Conjunctivitis (seasonal & perennial allergic)
- Conjunctivitis, Chlamydial
- Conjunctivitis medicamentosa (also Dermatoconjunctivitis medicamentosa)
- Corneal (or other superficial ocular) foreign body
- Corneal Transplant Rejection
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal hydrops
- Dacryocystitis (acute)
- Dacryocystitis (chronic)
- Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, KCS)
- Ectropion
- Endophthalmitis (post-operative) (Exogenous endophthalmitis)
- Entropion
- Episcleritis
- Facial palsy (Bell's Palsy)
- Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD)
- Glaucoma (chronic open angle) (COAG)
- Herpes Simplex Keratitis (HSK)
- Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO)
- Hordeolum
- Keratitis (marginal)
- Keratitis, CL-associated infiltrative
- Microbial keratitis (Acanthamoeba sp.)
- Microbial keratitis (bacterial, fungal)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (nasolacrimal drainage dysfunction)
- Ocular hypertension (OHT)
- Ocular rosacea
- Ophthalmia neonatorum
- Photokeratitis (Ultraviolet [UV] burn, Arc eye, Snow Blindness)
- Phthiriasis (pediculosis ciliaris)
- Pigmented fundus lesions
- Pinguecula
- Post-operative suture breakage
- Primary Angle Closure / Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PAC / PACG)
- Pterygium
- Recurrent corneal epithelial erosion syndrome
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Scleritis
- Steroid-related Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma
- Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage
- Sub-tarsal foreign body (STFB)
- Trauma (blunt)
- Trauma (chemical)
- Trauma (penetrating)
- Trichiasis
- Uveitis (anterior)
- Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
- Vitreomacular Traction and Macular Hole
- How to use the Clinical Management Guidelines
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (nasolacrimal drainage dysfunction)
Contents
Aetiology
Obstruction or stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct, causing excess tearing (epiphora); congenital or acquired aetiology
Congenital
Between 5% and 20% of babies have a persistent membranous obstruction at opening of nasolacrimal duct into nose; unilateral or bilateral
Acquired
Usually idiopathic (i.e. no established cause)
Usually involutional (i.e. age-related) stenosis (abnormal narrowing) of nasolacrimal passages
Punctal or canalicular stenosis/occlusion
- post-infective (chlamydia, herpes simplex/zoster, staphylococcus)
- post-cicatricial disease (ocular pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson)
- post-conjunctivitis medicamentosa (see Clinical Management Guideline on Conjunctivitis medicamentosa)
- iatrogenic (e.g. repeated probing, eyelid surgery)
- secondary to ectropion or punctal eversion
Mechanical (trauma, tumours, obstruction by lashes or foreign matter, e.g. dacryoliths [calcium stones], punctal/canalicular plugs)
Infection of canaliculi (canaliculitis)
- rarely, due to Actinomyces (Streptothrix sp.) – a Gram-positive bacillus
- such cases usually unilateral
- pouting’ punctum typical
Local infection (chronic sinusitis, dacryocystitis)
Predisposing factors
Age: congenital in babies, acquired in later life
Female gender
One case series identifed a history of infective conjunctivitis and regular swimming in chlorinated water as predisposing factors
Other factors: see above
Symptoms of nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Epiphora and mucous discharge
Irritation
Blurred vision due to excessive tear meniscus, especially on downgaze, e.g. when reading
Signs of nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Congenital
Epiphora and mucous discharge; mucopurulent if infected
Pressure over lacrimal sac may cause reflux of mucous material from puncta
Acquired
Check puncta for
- size (normally 0.2 to 0.3 mm diameter)
- apposition to the globe and marginal tear strip
- contact with opposite lid on eye closure
Differential diagnosis
Congenital
Congenital glaucoma (acute)
Punctal atresia (congenital absence or abnormal narrowing of puncta)
Acquired
Malposition of the eyelids e.g. ectropion, entropion. Lacrimal pump failure following facial nerve palsy. See appropriate Clinical Management Guidelines
Proximal lacrimal obstruction, e.g.
- canaliculitis (chronic mucopurulent conjunctivitis, punctum expresses chalky concretions, redness & tenderness over canaliculi)
- dacryocystitis (distended tender lacrimal sac): see Clinical Management Guidelines on Acute and Chronic Dacryocystitis
- tumour of lacrimal sac or canaliculi (rare, can produce lacrimal obstruction swelling at or below inner canthus (± blood in tears)
Management by optometrist
Practitioners should recognise their limitations and where necessary seek further advice or refer the patient elsewhere
GRADE* Level of evidence and strength of recommendation always relates to the statement(s) immediately above
Non pharmacological
Congenital
Diagnostic test
Fluorescein disappearance test
- a drop of 1% fluorescein should disappear from the tear meniscus in 5-10 minutes (cobalt blue light, room lights off); any longer suggests partial or complete obstruction
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low, Strength of recommendation=strong)
Therapy
Do not syringe or probe
Instruct parent in massage. Gentle pressure with finger over common canaliculus, stroking downwards firmly to raise pressure in lacrimal sac and encourage opening of valve. Suggest ten strokes, twice daily
Regular cleaning of discharge from lids
High rate of spontaneous resolution during the first 12 months of life (>50% resolve within 6 months, 70% by 12 months). Children with unilateral obstruction may benefit from early probing by ophthalmologist
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=moderate, Strength of recommendation=strong)
Acquired
Diagnostic tests
Lacrimal syringing (irrigation test) (NB not in congenital cases)
- instil a drop of topical anaesthetic
- gently dilate punctum with punctal dilator
- syringe with normal saline via lacrimal cannula
- if saline passes into nose (patient swallows and tastes salt) – nasolacrimal system is patent
- if there is resistance to the passage of the cannula and reflux from opposed canaliculus – common canaliculus is stenosed
- if no saline passes into nose – complete lacrimal duct obstruction
Jones fluorescein dye test
- significant amount of fluorescein remaining in tear meniscus two minutes or more after instillation indicates restricted drainage
- check for appearance of fluorescein in the nose (examine tissue after nose blow; if fluorescein present, lacrimal system is patent)
- place anaesthetic-soaked cotton bud in nose (if bud stained with fluorescein after 5 min, lacrimal system is patent)
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low, Strength of recommendation=strong)
Therapy
Lacrimal lavage (saline syringing) may be effective in some cases:
- local (discrete) obstruction
- subacute inflammation or infection
It is less likely to be effective:
- in stenosis in the elderly
- where there is an underlying disease (inflammation, tumour)
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low, Strength of recommendation=strong)
Pharmacological
Congenital
Topical broad spectrum topical antibiotic e.g. chloramphenicol drops (only if clinical evidence of infection)
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low, Strength of recommendation=weak)
Acquired
Topical broad spectrum topical antibiotic e.g. chloramphenicol drops (only if clinical evidence of infection)
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low, Strength of recommendation=weak)
Management category
Congenital
B2: alleviation or palliation; normally no referral (due to high rate of spontaneous resolution during the first 12 months of life; children with unilateral obstruction may benefit from early probing by ophthalmologist)
Acquired
B1 (modified): initial management (including drugs) followed by routine referral for possible surgical management if fails to resolve
Possible management by ophthalmologist
Probing (through puncta, canaliculi, sac, to nasolacrimal duct)
- Congenital: not until 12 months of age to allow for spontaneous canalisation
- in resistant acquired cases has limited success and carries risk of aggravation of underlying disease and of tissue trauma
Canalicular curettage
- for Actinomyces infection
Punctal dilatation where there is stenosis
Surgical removal of posterior wall of vertical limb of canaliculus
- considered when repeated punctal dilatation ineffective
X-ray imaging of radiopaque liquid injected into the lacrimal drainage system (dacryocystogram, DCG)
- pinpoints any obstructions and guides surgery
Surgery in canalicular or nasolacrimal duct obstruction includes
- dacryocystorhinostomy, DCR (surgical or endolaser)
- if other measures have failed, insertion of a Lester-Jones tube (a Pyrex tube leading from the inner canthus to the nasal space which needs regular maintenance, i.e. cleaning, by the patient)
Evidence base
*GRADE: Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (www.gradeworkinggroup.org)
Sources of evidence
Avdagic E, Phelps PO Nasolacrimal duct obstruction as an important cause of epiphora. Dis Mon. 2020;66(10):101043
Jawaheer L, MacEwen CJ, Anijeet D. Endonasal versus external dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD007097
Lin AE, Chang YC, Lin MY, Tam KW, Shen YD. Comparison of treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Can J Ophthalmol. 2016;51(1):34-40
Marcet MM, Kuk AK, Phelps PO. Evidence-based review of surgical practices in endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy for primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and other new indications. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2014;25(5):443-8
Ohtomo K, Ueta T, Toyama T, Nagahara M. Predisposing factors for primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2013;251(7):1835-9
Petris C, Liu D. Probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;7:CD011109
Summary
What is Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction?
The narrow tube that collects tears from the inner corner of the each eye and drains them to the inside of the nose is called the nasolacrimal duct. Normally it functions well but it may sometimes become blocked, causing the eye to water. This may happen as the result of infection, inflammation or the effects of medications or surgery. Occasionally babies are born with the duct(s) not fully open, but most of these go on to open without treatment before the age of 12 months.
How is Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction managed?
In adults, the blockage can be confirmed by attempting to pass a little saline solution through the nasolacrimal duct, using a small syringe. Fluorescein dye can also be used to test whether the duct is free. However, syringing by itself rarely cures the blockage. If infection is the cause, antibiotic drops may be needed.
If the optometrist’s management of the condition is not successful, the patient should be referred to the ophthalmologist, who may carry out further tests including special X-rays. If surgery is needed, a new passage can be created between the tear sac (at the inner corner of the eye) and the inside of the nose; this can be done either using conventional surgical instruments or with the aid of a laser.
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (nasolacrimal drainage dysfunction)
Version 8
Date of search 24.01.22
Date of revision 28.01.22
Date of publication 22.11.22
Date for review 23.01.24
© College of Optometrists
- Abnormalities of the Pupil
- Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis (AKC)
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (periocular)
- Blepharitis (Lid Margin Disease)
- CL-associated Papillary Conjunctivitis (CLAPC), Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
- Cellulitis, preseptal and orbital
- Chalazion (Meibomian cyst)
- Concretions
- Conjunctival pigmented lesions
- Conjunctival scarring
- Conjunctivitis (Acute Allergic)
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
- Conjunctivitis (viral, non-herpetic)
- Conjunctivitis (seasonal & perennial allergic)
- Conjunctivitis, Chlamydial
- Conjunctivitis medicamentosa (also Dermatoconjunctivitis medicamentosa)
- Corneal (or other superficial ocular) foreign body
- Corneal Transplant Rejection
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal hydrops
- Dacryocystitis (acute)
- Dacryocystitis (chronic)
- Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, KCS)
- Ectropion
- Endophthalmitis (post-operative) (Exogenous endophthalmitis)
- Entropion
- Episcleritis
- Facial palsy (Bell's Palsy)
- Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD)
- Glaucoma (chronic open angle) (COAG)
- Herpes Simplex Keratitis (HSK)
- Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO)
- Hordeolum
- Keratitis (marginal)
- Keratitis, CL-associated infiltrative
- Microbial keratitis (Acanthamoeba sp.)
- Microbial keratitis (bacterial, fungal)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (nasolacrimal drainage dysfunction)
- Ocular hypertension (OHT)
- Ocular rosacea
- Ophthalmia neonatorum
- Photokeratitis (Ultraviolet [UV] burn, Arc eye, Snow Blindness)
- Phthiriasis (pediculosis ciliaris)
- Pigmented fundus lesions
- Pinguecula
- Post-operative suture breakage
- Primary Angle Closure / Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PAC / PACG)
- Pterygium
- Recurrent corneal epithelial erosion syndrome
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Scleritis
- Steroid-related Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma
- Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage
- Sub-tarsal foreign body (STFB)
- Trauma (blunt)
- Trauma (chemical)
- Trauma (penetrating)
- Trichiasis
- Uveitis (anterior)
- Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
- Vitreomacular Traction and Macular Hole
- How to use the Clinical Management Guidelines
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