Tear duct surgery addresses issues related to blocked or malfunctioning tear ducts, which can lead to excessive tearing, discomfort, and even infections. At Lunata Eyelid and Cosmetic Surgery Dr. Kasra Eliasieh specializes in advanced tear duct procedures including endoscopic DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy), tear duct intubation, punctoplasty, and Jones tube implantation. With his specialized oculofacial training, he provides solutions that relieve excess tearing and restore proper tear drainage, helping you regain comfort and clarity in your everyday life.
When you can’t stop tearing up…
Excessive tearing, or epiphora, can be frustrating and disruptive. It can make simple activities like reading, driving, or social interactions uncomfortable and affect your overall quality of life. Whether caused by a blockage in the tear ducts, eyelid issues, or other factors, persistent tearing is often a sign that you need specialized care. A board-certified oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Eliasieh is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating these conditions, helping you find relief with minimally invasive procedures and expert care.
Signs and symptoms indicating you may need tear duct surgery and lacrimal treatment
- Chronic tearing or watery eyes (epiphora)
- Recurrent eye infections
- Redness and swelling near the inner corner of the eye
- Pain or discomfort around the eyes
- Mucous or pus discharge from the eye
- Frequent tearing that interferes with daily activities
- Crusting of the eyelids
- Vision issues due to persistent tearing
- A feeling of fullness around the eyes or nose
- History of trauma or injury to the tear ducts
What is tear duct surgery?
Tear duct surgery is a set of procedures designed to restore proper drainage of tears from the eyes to the nose. It is commonly needed when the tear ducts become blocked or narrowed, preventing tears from draining correctly. Depending on the cause and location of the blockage, different surgical techniques can be used. Dr. Eliasieh specializes in the most advanced and effective methods including endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), which creates a new pathway for tear drainage without the need for visible incisions. Other techniques include tear duct intubation, punctoplasty, and Jones tube implantation, all aimed at improving tear drainage and restoring comfort.
The steps involved in your tear duct surgery
Your tear duct surgery will be carefully planned and customized based on the underlying cause of your symptoms. Dr. Eliasieh will first perform a thorough examination to determine what treatment is needed to resolve your excess tearing. When excess tearing is caused by a narrowing of the entryway of the tear duct (the punctum), a punctoplasty can be performed. This is a quick office procedure with minimal downtime and no visible scar. When excess tearing is due to narrowing in the part of the tear duct that runs through the eyelid (canaliculus), a lacrimal intubation may be necessary. This procedure involves placing a tiny silicone tube into the tear ducts to open them and help keep them open. When the lacrimal blockage is deeper, an endoscopic DCR may be needed. The DCR is a minimally invasive technique using cameras to create a new tear drainage pathway inside the nose, without any external scars. In rare cases, the only way to resolve excessive tearing is to bypass the entire lacrimal system and place a glass tube (Jones Tube) to create a channel for tears to drain between the eye and the nose.
Dr. Eliasieh’s training and experience with these advanced procedures will ensure that your surgery is handled with the highest level of expertise, offering you effective and lasting relief.
Schedule a consultation
Lunata Eyelid and Cosmetic Surgery is led by Dr. Kasra Eliasieh who provides expert care for patients with tear duct issues. Drawing on his knowledge and experience with the lacrimal system, he is able to address chronic tearing and related issues with unwavering confidence. Schedule a consultation at our Berkeley clinic to discover how Dr. Eliasieh can restore proper tear drainage and enhance your overall quality of life.
