How to Test Ophthalmic Forced Ducts

Occasionally, tear ducts (lacrimal canaliculi) become blocked and can no longer siphon excess tears away from the eye and into the nasolacrimal duct, which is connected to the nose. When this occurs, tears begin to flow excessively from the eye, and infection of the ducts may occur. Because this procedure involves the eye, it is best to have a certified ophthalmologist perform the tests and procedures needed to unblock a tear duct.

Instructions

• 1

  Place two drops of an orange dye known as fluorescein into the eye with the duct that is blocked. This test, called the Fluorescein Dye Disappearance Test, helps determine if the duct is actually closed. If the dye disappears from the eye, the duct is open.

• 2

  Check to see if the patient’s eye is tearing excessively and whether or not the eyelashes are caked in mucus. Also, check for a tender puffiness. If these are present, the duct is probably blocked.

• 3

  Massage lightly the tear duct that is blocked. This will help loosen whatever debris might be blocking the duct.

• 4

  Insert a miniscule probe into the blocked duct, which is underneath the skin and flanked by the eye and nose. Force fluid into the duct to test whether or not the fluid now drains into the nose. This treatment also can be used to determine if the duct is not just blocked but scarred, as a scarred duct will not allow general tearing to flow through it upon completion of the forced duct treatment.

• 5

  Place a tiny tube or stent into the duct, thus keeping the eye’s drainage system from closing. This is standard procedure for patients whose Forced Duct treatments have failed. The tubes remain in place for the next six to 12 months to stave off further obstructions. Surgery is 90 percent to 95 percent effective at alleviating blocked tear ducts.