by Dr Rajesh Shah, MD

Epiphora is a condition where there is excessive watering of eyes, clinically the condition constitutes insufficient tears drainage from the tear drainage system (i.e. Nasolacrimal system).

Causes of epiphora:

Causes of Epiphora are as follows

• Eye irritation and inflammation
• Obstruction in the tear outflow tract
• Aging may be one of the reasons for the watering of the eyes.
• Common Cold.
• In neonates and infants, failure of the nasolacrimal duct to open.
• Poor reconstruction of the nasolacrimal duct system after trauma to the area.
• Facial fractures (soft tissue trauma)
• Lids disorder (ectropion - lids turn inwards and ectropion lids)

Diagnosis

• Epiphora is diagnosed by clinical observation, history and presentation of the lids.
• Fluorescein dye (to detect the obstruction).

Management

Usually the management of epiphora is done by surgery:

If the Epiphora is due to lid disorder ie, (ectropion - lids turned inwards or ectropion - lids turned outwards), then lid repair is indicated, punctual irrigation is also required. In infants with nasolacrimal defects, a nasolacrimal duct probe is used and a tube replacement, either temporary (Crawford) or permanent (Jones), is carried out. A surgical procedure called dacryocystorhinostomy is done to join the lacrimal sac to the nasal mucosa in order to restore lacrimal drainage.

Homeopathic treatment for epiphora:

Temporary symptomatic relief may be achieved for a short time using homeopathy. Long-term benefit may not be achieved. Homeopathy is not recommended for epiphora.