Understanding Punctal Stenosis: What is Punctal Stenosis?
Punctal Stenosis is a condition where the small openings of the tear ducts in your eyes (known as puncta) become narrowed or blocked. This often leads to discomfort, as tears do not drain properly and instead overflow, causing persistent watery eyes. Common in adults, this condition can stem from aging, inflammation, or exposure to environmental irritants.
Symptoms of Punctal Stenosis:
If you have Punctal Stenosis, you might experience constant tearing, eye irritation, and sometimes a mucus discharge. These symptoms can blur your vision and make everyday activities uncomfortable.
Causes of Punctal Stenosis include:
- Aging: Natural aging processes can lead to the narrowing of the tear ducts.
- Inflammation: Chronic inflammation from conditions like conjunctivitis can cause scarring and narrowing.
- Environmental Irritants: Exposure to dust, smoke, or chemicals can irritate the puncta and lead to stenosis.
- Injury: Physical trauma to the eye area may damage the tear ducts and their openings.
- Infections: Certain eye infections can cause swelling or scarring, affecting the tear ducts.
- Autoimmune Conditions: Diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome can affect tear production and tear duct function.
- Previous Punctal Plugs: Sometimes previously placed plugs can migrate past the punctum into the canaliculus causing obstruction, tearing and infections.
Treatment Options:
At San Diego Eye & Face, we provide specialized treatments for Punctal Stenosis aimed at restoring proper tear drainage and alleviating discomfort. Treatment options include:
- Non-surgical methods such as punctal dilation.
- Surgical insertion of tiny silicone tubes called stents to keep the tear ducts open.
- In certain cases, creating a new tear duct passage surgically.
Our expert team is dedicated to diagnosing and effectively treating Punctal Stenosis, helping you achieve relief and improve your quality of life.
What Are Other Causes Of Tearing?:
Tearing, or excessive eye watering, can be caused by various conditions beyond canaliculitis. Common causes include dry eye syndrome, where tears are produced in response to an irritant, such as eye dryness, eye allergies, or infections like viral conjunctivitis. Blockages in the tear ducts apart from punctal stenosis, canalicular stenosis or nasolacrimal duct obstruction, can also lead to tearing. Eyelid position issues, like entropion or ectropion, can also lead to tearing. Environmental factors such as wind, smoke, or bright light, and even certain medications, can also stimulate excessive tear production. Addressing the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment and relief.
Your Consultation Experience:
During your 30-minute in person consultation, Dr. Satterfield will conduct a thorough examination, review your symptoms, and discuss both surgical and non-surgical treatment options tailored to your specific problem. We ensure a comprehensive discussion about the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives of each treatment option to help you make an informed decision.
We aim to empower you with a clear understanding of your treatment possibilities and what to expect in terms of results and recovery. Most treatments for tearing are medical or minimally invasive, however occasionally surgical intervention is warranted.