Some Questions about Teary Eyes

[MLStein]

I have a couple of questions about excessively teary eyes and the surgery to correct that (DCR).

1)  Does the surgery destroy the existing (blocked) nasal-lacrimal duct or just create a second duct?

2)  Is there any chance that your eye can become too dry because of the surgery (tears drain TOO much) or is the amount of tears you produce solely a function of the tear gland, not how quickly (or slowly) tears drain into the lacrimal sac?

Thanks in advance!

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

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[MLStein]

Thank you for the rapid response, Dr. Hagan!

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

1The procedure usually makes a new opening below the tear sac and in so doing the old one is destroyed.
2. Tear production is unrelated to how fast or slow it drains away.

JCH MD