Naso-Lacrimal Duct Obstruction – Dr. Ola Alsaed
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Naso-Lacrimal Duct Obstruction – Dr. Ola Alsaed
Excessive eye watering can be frustrating—not only does it blur vision, but it may also lead to discomfort, infections, and social embarrassment. One of the most common causes of persistent tearing, especially in infants and older adults, is nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO)—also known as a blocked tear duct.
Naso-lacrimal duct obstruction Specialist in Dubai
Dr. Ola Alsaed, a tear duct specialist, offers proper diagnostic and treatment procedures for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Your or your child’s watery eye, recurrent infection, or tearing problem may happen because of some form of blockage in the drainage system. Her extensive training in ophthalmology and tear duct disorders allows her to handle even complicated cases, whether you are confronted with congenital NLDO in a newborn or acquired obstruction in an adult.
Don't Ignore Excessive Tearing – Seek Expert Care Today
Persistent watery eyes may seem like a minor nuisance, but if left untreated, a blocked tear duct can lead to discomfort and infection. Whether it’s your child or yourself experiencing symptoms, trust Dr. Ola Alsaed to deliver safe, effective treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Her evidence-based approach and dedication to patient care make her a leading tear duct specialist in Dubai.
Book a consultation with Dr. Ola Alsaed today and take the first step toward clear, comfortable vision, free from excessive tearing.
Why Choose Dr. Ola Alsaed for Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction?
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of a blocked tear duct, Dr Ola Alsaed is a top choice for diagnosis and treatment in Dubai.
Here’s why:
Pediatric and Adult Care
Whether it's your newborn or you're an adult with chronic tearing, she will provide therapeutic solutions for every age group.
Advanced Diagnostic Tools
The clinic has modern tear duct imaging, endoscopy, and dye testing in the tear sac for the diagnosis.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
The doctor goes into non-operative treatment options first and only really pursues a DCR surgery in scarce circumstances.
Compassionate, Patient-Centered Approach
The expert walks you through every step of the diagnosis and treatment process, ensuring comfort and confidence in her care.
Convenient Location in Dubai
The centrally located clinic is easily accessible and ideal for families seeking expert eye care.
Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
The nasolacrimal duct is an integral part of the tear drainage system connected with the eyes; it carries tears from the eyes into the nose. If this duct is wholly or partially blocked, tears are prevented from draining normally; they, therefore, accumulate on the surface of the eye and overflow onto the face.
Untreated tear duct obstruction can lead to chronic tearing, which in turn can cause irritations, infections (dacryocystitis), and a significant decline in the quality of life. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent these complications.
Understanding the Implications of a Blocked Tear Duct
A blocked tear duct is a condition in which the normal outflow of tears from the eye into the nose is blocked. Normally, tears are secreted by the lacrimal gland and drain from the eyes through minuscule apertures known as puncta, located in the extremities of the upper and lower lids.
Next, tears will drain via the canaliculi into the nasolacrimal duct. If any part of this system is constricted or occluded, tears will start to pool in the eyes, causing profuse watering, discharge, and sometimes infection.
Tear duct obstructions can be:
- Congenital (present at birth)
- Acquired (due to ageing, trauma, infection, or nasal pathology)
Understanding the Treatment for a Blocked Tear Duct
The blocked tear duct treatment depends on the patient’s age, the severity of symptoms, and the cause of the blockage.
In infants:
1. Observation
Most congenital blockages resolve naturally within the first 6–12 months.
2. Lacrimal Sac Massage (Crigler Technique)
A gentle technique is used to open the blocked valve by applying pressure near the tear sac.
3. Probing and Irrigation
A minimally invasive procedure is done under light anaesthesia to open the duct manually.
4. Silicone Tube Intubation
If probing fails, a small silicone tube may be inserted to keep the duct open.
In adults:
1. Medical Treatment
Infections may require antibiotics or anti-inflammatory eye drops.
2. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR Surgery)
It is the surgical creation of a drainage channel between the tear sac and the nose. There are two main variants:
External DCR: The classic approach involves a small nasal-floor incision.
Endoscopic-DCR: A nasal approach avoiding external scar formation.
3. Balloon Dilation and Stenting
Used to dilate tear ducts with partial obstruction.
Dr. Ola Alsaed carefully evaluates each case to advise on the safest blocked tear duct treatment option for the individual. Both non-invasive and surgical approaches, such as DCR surgery, are offered at clinics in Dubai.
How Does Massaging the Tear Duct Help with Blockage?
Tear duct massage, that is, the Crigler technique, is the name given to a first-line treatment for congenital NLDO in infants. It is designed to exert gentle pressure onto the tear sac so as to forcibly open the blocked valve at the base of the nasolacrimal duct.
How to perform it (always under your doctor’s guidance):
- Wash hands well.
- Locate with the index finger the area where the tear sac lies, that is, near the inner corner of the eye, just beside the nose.
- Apply gentle downward pressure five to ten times per session and do so multiple times a day.
- Use, if discharge is present, antibiotic eye drops as prescribed. It has a high probability of success if properly performed and consistently done during those few early months of life.
Why Do Children Get Blocked Tear Ducts?
In infants, nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a common occurrence. Namely, about 5% to 10% of newborns have a partially obstructed tear duct, usually due to a valve not truly formed or sealed at the distal end of the duct (Valve of Hasner).
Causes of tear duct obstruction could be:
In the congenital NLDO, most cases spontaneously resolve within the first year of life. If it persists, then Dr. Ola Alsaed and his expert team will intervene.
How Common Is Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction?
In children:
- Occurs in about 1 in 10 newborns
- Resolves spontaneously in 90% of cases by 12 months of age
- 10% may need intervention (probing or surgery)
In adults:
- Common in people over 40
- More prevalent in women than men
- It may be caused by inflammation, infection, sinus surgery, trauma, or tumours
Blocked tear ducts can also be associated with conditions such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or inflammatory disorders like sarcoidosis or Wegener’s granulomatosis.
Recognizing the Indicators of a Blocked Tear Duct:
Symptoms of NLDO vary with age but commonly include the following:
In infancy:
- Constant watery eyes
- Mucus-like discharge in the corner of the eyes
- Crusting of the eyelids
- Mild redness of the inner eyelids
• Recurrent eye infections
In adulthood:
- Excessive tearing (epiphora)
- Blurred vision due to tear overflow
- Swelling near the medial canthus to the inner aspect of the eye
- Eye infections or inflammations
- Painful lump on the side of the nose, suggestive of dacryocystitis
Should symptoms persist or worsen, the eyes ought to be presented for ophthalmological attention. Non-destructive imaging and diagnostic tests make it possible for Dr. Ola Alsaed to arrive at a diagnosis fast and accurately.