## Overview Blocked nasolacrimal duct, often accompanied by dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lacrimal sac), prevents tears from draining from the eye into the nose. The result is chronic epiphora (watering eye), secondary conjunctivitis, and sometimes facial skin irritation. Obstruction may be congenital (atresia) or acquired from debris, infection, trauma, dental disease, or sinus problems. ## Causes Mucoid plugs, dacryoliths, foreign material, strictures after trauma, tooth-root abscesses, and sinusitis are common acquired causes. Congenital atresia of the distal opening is seen in some foals. ## Diagnosis Failure of fluorescein dye placed in the eye to appear at the nasal punctum confirms obstruction. Flushing the duct, endoscopy, or contrast radiography (dacryocystorhinography) localizes the blockage. ## Treatment Most simple obstructions are relieved by careful flushing under sedation. Recurrent or permanent blockages may need stenting, surgical creation of a new drainage pathway (canaliculosinostomy), or treatment of underlying dental or sinus disease. Topical antibiotics address secondary infection. ## Recovery and Prognosis Prognosis is good when the duct can be reopened or bypassed. Chronic dacryocystitis may require repeated flushing or surgery. ## Prevention Prompt treatment of ocular or sinus infections and protection from facial trauma reduce acquired obstructions. Congenital cases cannot be prevented.
chronic tearing from one or both eyes; wet or stained hair below the eye; recurrent conjunctivitis; occasional swelling near the medial canthus
## Overview Blocked nasolacrimal duct, often accompanied by dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lacrimal sac), prevents tears from draining from the eye into the nose. The result is chronic epiphora (watering eye), secondary conjunctivitis, and sometimes facial skin irritation. Obstruction may be congenital (atresia) or acquired from debris, infection, trauma, dental disease, or sinus problems. ## Causes Mucoid plugs, dacryoliths, foreign material, strictures after trauma, tooth-root abscesses, and sinusitis are common acquired causes. Congenital atresia of the distal opening is seen in some foals. ## Diagnosis Failure of fluorescein dye placed in the eye to appear at the nasal punctum confirms obstruction. Flushing the duct, endoscopy, or contrast radiography (dacryocystorhinography) localizes the blockage. ## Treatment Most simple obstructions are relieved by careful flushing under sedation. Recurrent or permanent blockages may need stenting, surgical creation of a new drainage pathway (canaliculosinostomy), or treatment of underlying dental or sinus disease. Topical antibiotics address secondary infection. ## Recovery and Prognosis Prognosis is good when the duct can be reopened or bypassed. Chronic dacryocystitis may require repeated flushing or surgery. ## Prevention Prompt treatment of ocular or sinus infections and protection from facial trauma reduce acquired obstructions. Congenital cases cannot be prevented.
chronic tearing from one or both eyes; wet or stained hair below the eye; recurrent conjunctivitis; occasional swelling near the medial canthus