Dacryocystitis is an inflammation or infection of the lacrimal sac, the small pouch that collects tears at the inner corner of your eye. This condition occurs when the tear drainage system becomes blocked, causing discomfort and potential complications if left untreated.
Tears are produced by lacrimal glands located above your eyes. They flow across the eye surface to keep it moist and clean. Tears then enter small openings called puncta in your eyelids.
From the puncta, tears travel through tiny channels called canaliculi into the lacrimal sac. The tears then drain into your nose through the nasolacrimal duct. When this pathway becomes blocked, tears back up and the lacrimal sac can become infected.
Healthy tear drainage keeps your eyes comfortable and free from infection. When tears cannot drain properly, bacteria have more time to grow in the stagnant fluid. This is why blockages often lead to infection rather than just watery eyes.
Acute dacryocystitis develops rapidly with severe symptoms. This type usually responds well to antibiotics and may resolve within days to weeks.
Chronic dacryocystitis develops gradually over time with milder but persistent symptoms. This type often requires surgical treatment to fully resolve.
Some newborns are born with blocked tear ducts, often due to a membrane that fails to open at birth. Most of these cases resolve on their own by age one without treatment, though we recommend monitoring by our pediatric eye care team.
Adults can develop blocked tear ducts due to aging, infections, trauma, or certain health conditions. Women over 40 face higher risk because they tend to have narrower tear ducts.
Bacteria are the most common cause of dacryocystitis. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species are frequently involved in adult cases. In children, Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause.
Several physical factors can block tear ducts and lead to infection.
Certain diseases can affect the tear drainage system. Autoimmune conditions like sarcoidosis and lupus may cause inflammation in the tear ducts. Diabetes and other chronic conditions can increase the severity and recurrence of dacryocystitis.
Adults over 40 face higher risk of developing dacryocystitis. Women are more commonly affected than men, likely because they tend to have narrower tear duct openings. As people age, these openings narrow further.
Conditions that affect the nose and face can impact tear drainage. Nasal septum deviation, chronic rhinitis, and previous facial surgeries or trauma may increase your risk.
Working in dusty or smoky environments can irritate the eyes and raise infection risks. Certain medications, including some glaucoma eye drops and radiation therapies, may affect tear duct health over time.
Without proper treatment, the infection can worsen and form an abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus that may need to be drained by a doctor. This complication is more common when acute dacryocystitis is left untreated.
In rare cases, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues. Orbital cellulitis is a serious condition where infection spreads to the eye socket. This requires urgent medical attention and usually intravenous antibiotics.
Repeated infections can cause scarring in the tear drainage system. This scarring may make future blockages more likely and can make treatment more difficult. Early treatment helps prevent this cycle.
Our optometrists will examine the area around your eye for swelling, redness, and tenderness. Gently pressing on the lacrimal sac may cause discharge to come out of the puncta, which helps confirm the diagnosis during primary eye care exams.
A dye disappearance test can show how well your tears are draining. We place a drop of special dye in your eye and check how quickly it clears. Slow clearance suggests a blockage in the drainage system.
In some cases, imaging may be needed to see the tear drainage system more clearly. A dacryocystography uses contrast dye and X-rays to show where blockages are located. CT scans may be used if we suspect the infection has spread.
Acute cases typically respond well to prompt treatment. Oral antibiotics are the first line of defense, though severe cases may require intravenous antibiotics. Warm compresses applied to the affected area help reduce pain and swelling.
For babies with blocked tear ducts, gentle massage of the lacrimal sac can help open the blockage. Parents can learn this simple technique to perform at home. Many infant cases resolve with massage alone by the first birthday.
Chronic cases often need more than antibiotics alone. Long-term low-dose antibiotics may help reduce recurring infections. Good eye hygiene, including regular cleaning and protection from irritants, supports duct health and helps manage dry eye symptoms.
When other treatments fail, surgery can restore normal tear drainage. Dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR, creates a new pathway for tears to drain directly into the nose. This procedure has a high success rate. Other options include balloon dacryoplasty and stenting, which are less invasive approaches.
Seek medical care right away if you experience sudden severe pain, swelling, and redness near the inner corner of your eye. Fever combined with eye symptoms is especially concerning and should not be ignored.
Persistent watery eyes, recurring discharge, or ongoing discomfort should be evaluated by an eye doctor. These symptoms may indicate a chronic blockage that could worsen without treatment.
Parents should pay attention to excessive tearing or discharge in newborns. While most infant cases resolve on their own, our team can determine if treatment is needed and rule out other conditions.
Keep your face and eyelids clean to prevent bacteria buildup. Gently wash the area around your eyes daily. Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands.
Wear protective eyewear when working in dusty, smoky, or windy conditions. This helps prevent irritation and reduces the risk of infections.
Stay well hydrated to support healthy tear production. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also benefit tear quality and eye surface health.
No, dacryocystitis itself is not contagious. The infection is caused by bacteria that become trapped due to a blocked tear duct. However, good hand hygiene is still important to prevent spreading bacteria to others or to your other eye.
Acute dacryocystitis usually improves within a few days of starting antibiotic treatment, though complete healing may take one to two weeks. Chronic cases may take longer to resolve and often require surgical treatment for lasting improvement.
You should avoid wearing contact lenses during an active infection. The discharge and bacteria present can contaminate your lenses and potentially worsen the condition. Wait until our optometrists confirm the infection has cleared before resuming lens wear.
Most children with congenital blocked tear ducts do not need surgery. The majority of cases resolve on their own by age one with conservative treatment like gentle massage. If the blockage persists beyond the first year, we may recommend a minor procedure to open the duct.
A stye is a small bump that forms on the eyelid, usually near the lash line. Dacryocystitis causes swelling at the inner corner of the eye, near the nose. A stye typically resolves on its own within a week, while dacryocystitis often requires antibiotic treatment.
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, causes redness across the white of your eye and affects the conjunctiva. Dacryocystitis causes localized swelling and pain at the inner corner of the eye where the tear sac is located. The treatments for these conditions are different, so proper diagnosis matters.
