Post Operative Tear Duct Surgery

[Zeppy]

Cheers Dr. .. I had posted this on another medhelp.org questionnaire, but I believe you
would be better to answer it.

I recently (Aug. 30th 2010) had Dacryocystorhinostomy surgery (external) on my right eye.  About 6 years ago, I had a staph infection that blocked my duct and the doctors finally suggested the surgery - years of tissues.  

Moving along ... it's approximately 3 months after the surgery (stint was taken out 2 weeks ago) and I still have a noticeable lump on the side of my nose which is hard (directly under the scar up to the inside of my eye - scarring under the skin maybe? When I touch it, it's a bit sensitive) with times that my eye is draining and times that my eye is not draining.  Sometimes, I can pinch my nose and air comes out of my inner eye, which tells me that there is flow ... but other times, I try and no air flows out.  

Honestly, it is nice not to have white puss coming out of my eye anymore from all of the small infections that I was having ... but now it seems I am just encountering another problem ... but with a nice big scar that looks like I am having glasses indents on the side of my face.  

Just a bit frustrated and wanted to know of your advice or what to do in this situation.  I really don't know why there would be a hard, raised bump in this between the bridge of my nose and the inside of my eye, that will not decrease in size - and that seems to be disrupting the flow.    

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

Thanks DB, we like stories with a happy ending.

JCH MD

[Zeppy]

Hi Everyone -

Just to follow up.  Problem SOLVED !!! Now it is 6 months later and I am happy as a clam. My eye drains properly and I have had absolutely ZERO problems with blockage.  You know what the problem was I was speaking of? The stint.  Yeup.  The freakin' stint.  When I went in to get the stint taken out, the doctor cut the loop on the outside.  BUT, he forgot to pull the darn thing OUT OF MY FACE from inside my nose!  SO, about 3 weeks later, apologies for saying this ... but I had some itching in my nose and reached up to see what was wrong.  Low and behold, a huge silicone stint about as long as my pinky comes out.  WAAAALLLLAA !!  Flowing like the Columbia River now!  No dams in the way.  

So, for everyone whom has had problems with Tear Ducts, or blocked tear ducts, my surgery was awesome.  Yes, I have (and you will have) a small scar that is on my nose, but you would only notice it now if you were REALLY staring at my face.  Other than that, it's pure bliss.  Operation is highly recommended if you were as bad as I was.  

Cheers,

DB

[JodieJ]

You might return to the surgeon who did your DCR last summer.

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

If you live in the USA you can find an oculoplastic surgeon near you at www.aao.org

JC MD

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

Use the search feature and archives to read about Jones tube surgery. there are some great naratives by people that have had the surgery.
JCH MD

[Zeppy]

Thanks ... I will look into the Oculoplastic Surgeon today.  

Much appreciated for your feedback. I will post again when I know better
what is going on.  

Cheers,

Derek

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

Yes you need to be under the care of an oculoplastic surgeon.
JCHMD

[JodieJ]

Your post suggests that you have a couple of issues:  (1) a scar that might be helped by a plastic surgery touch-up, and (2) the possibility that your new tear duct has become partially blocked.  An oculoplastic surgeon could probably help you with both issues.