Low urgency
--
It is inflammation of the lacrimal sac due to an obstruction at the tear duct caused by an infection, injury, tumours or surgery.
The area inside the lower eyelid is red, swollen and painful. It may be accompanied of constant tearing and, occasionally, fever.
It is diagnosed with a full eye examination. If there is pus, a sample must be collected for culture and isolation of the causal germ.
Antibiotic treatment must be started quickly to prevent complications. The area should also be massaged with hot cloths and antibiotics should be started. If there is a significant build up of pus, surgical cleaning may be needed.
- Horton JC. Trastornos de los ojos. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 19º Edición: 199.
- Campolattaro BN, Lueder GT, Tychsen L. Spectrum of pediatric dacryocystitis: medical and surgical management of 54 cases. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 1997; 34:143.
- Baskin DE, Reddy AK, Chu YI, Coats DK. The timing of antibiotic administration in the management of infant dacryocystitis. J AAPOS 2008; 12:456.
- Evelyn A Paysse, MD. David K Coats, MD, Michael Cassidy, COT. Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (dacryostenosis) and dacryocystocele. UpToDate. May 27, 2015.
Dr. Sara Vitoria
Copyright© TeckelMedical 2026
