Encyclopedia of Medicine | Dacryocystitis

Definition

Dacryocystitis is an inflammation of the tear sac (lacrimal sac) at the inner corner of the eye.

Description

Tears drain into little openings (puncta) in the inner corners of the eyelids. From there, the tears travel through little tube-like structures (canaliculi) to the lacrimal sac. The nasolacrimal ducts then take the tears from the lacrimal sac to the nose. That's why people need to blow their nose when they cry a lot.

Dacryocystitis is usually caused by a blockage of the nasolacrimal duct, which allows fluid to drain into the nasal passages. When the lacrimal sac does not drain, bacteria can grow in the trapped fluid. This condition is most common in infants and people over 40 years old.

Causes and symptoms

In newborn infants, the nasolacrimal duct may fail to form an opening—a condition called dacryostenosis. The cause of dacryocystitis in adults is usually associated...