DCR question

[Workoutgirl1970]

I had DCR surgery with a stent Sept 2009 and Sept 2010. Sept 2010 the stent was left in for 3 months. It had scar tissue growing around it or they would have left it in longer. I have had the scar tissue trimmed but my eye still waters. I am seeking a second opinion as my surgeon is unable to solve this apparently. What are my options at this point? If it is clogged again I would rather go ahead with the tube which would solve the problem right or not? My surgeon didn't like doing those surgeries and prefers the stent but if it doesn't solve the problem whats the point of repeating the same failed procedure? He left me high and dry so to speak as my eye is still watering. I went back twice to have it taken care of. I had a cold both times and he said he couldn't do anything even though I scheduled time to have this fixed both times. He tried irrigating it and was unable to, didn't numb me at all so of course it hurt really bad. What are my options besides seek a second opinion?

[Workoutgirl1970]

I had a second opinion this morning actually and will have surgery to have a Jones tube in about a month. It is scarred shut. They did the dye test which I have never had before and tried to irrigate the lower duct and it was impossible to even get the needle in, the top was wide open and flushed right thru so hopefully this will help. I know this is no guarantee but its either this or have a watery eye forever. My problem all started with punctal plugs. If I had known I would have never gotten them in the first place.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JodieJ]

There are various reasons why a DCR is not successful.  The new tear passageway may have scarred shut.  Or there may have been technical problems with the surgery.  It's even possible that the tear duct wasn't blocked at all and something else has been responsible for the tearing.  As Dr. Hagan suggests above, your best bet at this point is to get additional opinions before proceeding to a more aggressive surgerical proceedure.  Both oculoplastic and ENT surgeons do DCRs with an endoscope.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

First use the search feature and archives to read about Jones tube surgery. It's a big operation with a long recovery and it doesn't always work. At this point I would get a second even a third opinion from an oculoplastic surgeon. NOTE: you need to see one that has a nasal endoscope to look up the nose and see what the inside of your nose looks like and how scarred the opening is. Sometimes there can be problems that can be done with a surgical endoscope through the nose and its much faster, safer than a Jones tube.  Look for oculoplastic surgeons near you at www.aao.org

JCH MD