Lacrimal Irrigation (Washout)
Lacrimal Irrigation (washout) is a treatment for watery eyes. Watery eyes can occur for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is when the tubes (canaliculi) which drain the tears away from the eyes into the nose, become blocked, normally with mucous etc from the tear film or simply because the tubes have narrowed with age. When this happens a very effective treatment is to washout the obstructive debris with saline solution.
This video demonstrates this procedure being performed. Firstly, the opening of the duct, called the puncta is anaesthetised with a numbing eye drop. Then a small smooth tube is inserted into the puncta into the drainage tubes that flow into the lacrimal sac at the base of the nose. When the tube is in the correct position saline solution is washed down to the nose and then flows down the throat in the same way that normal tear drainage occurs when there is no blockage.
If the punctal opening has become stenosed or too narrow over time, then this can be dilated while it is still numb to further assist tear outflow. If the puncta return to their narrow dimensions after a time, the procedure can be repeated. Sometimes a tube, called a perforated punctal plug is inserted to keep the puncta adequately open so the tears drain away properly.
Although the procedure can look a bit alarming to a bystander watching, it is not painful and can produce a great deal of symptomatic relief.
It is recommended not to drink any hot drinks for 30-40 minutes after the procedure. This is because the anaesthetic drops can sometimes numb the throat for a while and you may not realise how hot the fluid you are drinking is.
For questions and to book consultations please contact our Four Marks or Alton practices.