 Lacrimal
(Tear Duct) Probing in Children - With or Without Tubes
Children born
with a blocked tear duct can often be cured by a probing under
general anesthesia. A thin silicone tube is sometimes left in
place to keep the tear duct open. This is usually performed at
about one year of age, but under certain conditions may be done
earlier or later. Dr. Schiller works with selected anesthesiologists
who specialize in children's anesthesia, to make the experience
as safe and comfortable for the child (and parents!) as possible.
At some hospitals, the parents are allowed into the operating
room to hold the child as he or she goes to sleep.
Dacryocystorhinostomy
A blocked tear
duct causes the eye to fill with tears, interfering with vision,
and can cause serious infections. If the tear duct leading to
the nose is blocked, surgery can create a new one. It is performed
as an outpatient, under general or local anesthesia. A thin clear
silicone tube remains in the reconstructed tear duct for several
months and is removed in the office. The surgery takes under an
hour, and in selected cases is successful in over 95% of the time.
Jones'
Tubes
A Jones' tube
may be necessary if the part of the lacrimal system in the eyelid,
the canaliculus, is blocked. This glass tube is implanted permanently
from the eyelid to the nose, and conducts the tears away from
the eye. The surgery is performed with the aid of the endoscope
to verify that the tube is placed properly in the nose. |
