Dacryocystitis / Tear Sac Infection
Also known as Dacryocystitis, Tear Sac Infection, Lacrimal Sac Infection, Infected Tear Duct, Tear Duct Abscess
Bottom Line
Dacryocystitis is an infection of the tear sac near the inner corner of the eye. It can cause pain, swelling, tearing, and pus.
Dacryocystitis happens when germs grow in the tear sac. It is often linked to a blocked tear drainage pathway from the eye to the nose 1.
Acute dacryocystitis causes a tender red swelling near the inner corner of the eye. Chronic disease may cause tearing and mucus with less pain.
Antibiotics treat the infection, but a blocked tear pathway may need a procedure later. Tear bypass surgery can help people with repeat dacryocystitis and obstruction 2.
Symptoms and Warning Signs
Dacryocystitis often starts near the side of the nose.
- Inner-corner pain. The tear sac may be tender.
- Red swelling. Skin near the eye and nose may look red.
- Pus or mucus. Pressing the area may push fluid from the tear openings.
- Watery eye. Tears may spill because drainage is blocked.
- Fever or spreading swelling. This needs urgent care.
Adult dacryocystitis can involve different bacteria, so culture and antibiotic choices may matter 1.
Treatment
Treatment depends on severity:
- Antibiotics. Pills or vein medicine may be used.
- Warm compresses. These can ease tenderness while medicine works.
- Drainage. An abscess may need a small drainage procedure.
- Tear bypass surgery. This can prevent repeat infections when a blockage remains.
Tear bypass surgery is called dacryocystorhinostomy. An evidence-based review describes adjunctive techniques used with this surgery 3.
Prevention
You may not be able to prevent every infection. You can lower risk by treating the blockage that traps tears.
- Do not squeeze a painful swollen tear sac hard.
- Finish antibiotics exactly as prescribed.
- Return for follow-up after the infection calms down.
- Ask whether tear drainage testing is needed.
- Seek care early if swelling comes back.
Common Questions About Dacryocystitis
Next Steps
- 1Call an eye doctor today for painful inner-corner swelling or pus.
- 2Go to the emergency room for fever, spreading swelling, pain with eye movement, or vision loss.
- 3Do not squeeze a painful swollen tear sac hard.
- 4Finish antibiotics exactly as prescribed.
- 5Ask about tear drainage testing after the infection improves.
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