Normally, tears are produced by the lacrimal gland, keeping the eyes lubricated and clean. After tears are produced, the movement of the eyes forces the tears into ducts in the inner corners, which drain the tears from the eyes into the lacrimal duct and into the back of the nose. If this duct is completely or partially blocked, the tears that cannot drain out will block the lacrimal duct.

In children whose blockage does not improve on its own, or in adults with partial lacrimal duct obstruction or partial punctal stenosis, the doctor will intervene using the conventional lacrimal duct method.

Lacrimal irrigation is a technique commonly used before surgery for patients with lacrimal duct obstruction and some other eye conditions. Follow the article below to learn about this technique.