TEARING DISORDERS

Tears are normally drained quickly from the eye. Blockage of the lacrimal drainage system is an important cause of excessive tearing and tends to occur in older people. It is believed that the blockage is due to involutional narrowing of the nasolacrimal duct.

Any ocular irritation due to a variety of causes can also cause overproduction of tears and excessive tearing.  Dry eyes can sometimes set off reflex tearing and result in occasional bouts of tearing.

The operation required is called Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), in which a new channel is created to allow tears to drain into the nose again. Specific operations depend on the site of the obstruction.