Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is a type of
surgery sometimes used to treat
blocked tear ducts in adults. It is rarely used in
children. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a thin fiber-optic light device through the tear duct opening (punctum) at the inner
corner of the eyelid. This allows the surgeon to see where the tear duct is
supposed to exit inside the nostril.
Next, the surgeon inserts an endoscope, a thin tube with a tiny camera on
the end, into the nostril. An incision is made at the point where the fiber-optic light shines
through the blocked tear duct. The incision opens a new passageway between the
tear duct sac and the nasal cavity. The incision is done through the
endoscope inside the nostril. There is no visible scarring after
Juvenile macular degeneration is the term for several inherited eye diseases -- including Stargardt's disease, Best disease, and juvenile retinoschisis -- that affect children and young adults. These rare diseases cause central vision loss that may begin in childhood or young adulthood.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment available for these diseases, which are caused by gene mutations passed down in families. Visual aids, adaptive training, and other types of assistance can help young people with...
This procedure may be done as an alternative to a standard
dacryocystorhinostomy, which creates a new drainage canal and leaves a small scar.
Laser dacryocystorhinostomy uses an endoscope
that also contains a
laser, which is an intense, narrow beam of light that
can cut through body tissues. The laser in the endoscope makes a hole in the
nasal bone. This creates a connection between the tear duct sac and the nasal
Compared with similar types of surgery, laser
Laser dacryocystorhinostomy may not be an option for some
Endoscopic and laser dacryocystorhinostomy are not as successful in
opening blocked tear ducts as standard dacryocystorhinostomy.
In this article
This information is produced and provided by the National
Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National
Institute via the Internet web site at http://
.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
October 09, 2013
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