- How many layers is the tear film composed of ?
- When does lacrimal duct obstruction occur?
-What is the most common type of lacrimal duct obstruction in children?
- How many percentage of children suffer from lacrimal ducts obstraction?
-What are the symptoms of congenital lacrimal duct obstruction?
- what sign can it be if a child with congenital lacrimal duct obstruction suffers from photophobia too?
- How can congenital lacrimal duct obstruction be diagnosed?
-How is congenital lacrimal duct obstruction treated?
- How many layers is the tear film composed of ?
1.The mucous layer, produced and secreted by the conjunctival goblet cells.
2. The middle layer is a solution of water and salt.
3. The oil layer secreted produced by the meibomian glands in the eyelids.
- When does lacrimal duct obstruction occur?
This problem occurs when tears naturally can not drain from the surface of the eye and may occur as acquired or congenital.
- What is the most common type of lacrimal duct obstruction in children?
Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction is common in children.
- How many percentage of children suffer from lacrimal ducts obstraction?
About 6% to 10% of newborns are born before their lacrimal ducts are fully developed . Some studies have reported that about 50% of infants suffer from this disorder.
- What are the symptoms of congenital lacrimal duct obstruction?
The most common symptom is excessive tearing. In the first month after the birth, there is no reflexive tear or shedding of tears when the infant is crying, unless it is most likely to be pathologic (caused by a disease). Other symptoms of congenital lacrimal duct obstruction include discharge from the eye lids and surface of the eye, recurrent eye infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, swelling and infection in lacrimal sac so that eyelids and the area around the nose become red, inflamed, painful and sensitive to touch.
- what sign can it be if a child with congenital lacrimal duct obstruction suffers from photophobia too?
Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction with fear of light can be a sign of congenital glaucoma.
- How can congenital lacrimal duct obstruction be diagnosed?
1- Gentle pressure on the lacrimal sac
2- Special substances such as fluorescein dye is instilled onto the eye.
- How is congenital lacrimal duct obstruction treated?
According to studies conducted in 95% of cases, congenital lacrimal duct obstruction often usually resolves spontaneously within the first few months of life so that most of them open on their own by the time a baby is 1 year old. Otherwise, interventional treatments include non-surgical and surgical procedures, as following:
1. Conservative: A non-surgical treatment, including observation, lacrimal sac massage, and topical antibiotics.
2. Probing: Probing is a surgical procedure that takes about 10 minutes, and involves passing a thin, metallic probe through the blocked lacrimal duct to resolve the obstruction.
3. Balloon Dacryoplasty: A new surgical technique in which a balloon is inserted into the corner of the eye and the lacrimal duct, and during specific procedure the lacrimal ducts obstruction resolves. The success rate of this technique has been reported between 100% and 80%.
4. DCR: It is a surgical procedure that is performed in rare cases in children like adults. This is the main treatment method for most patients with acquired lacrimal duct obstruction.