The tears lubricate the eye and prevent it from drying out. They are drained through a complicated pumping mechanism involving the eyelids. The tears then flow into a tear drain called the lacrimal duct.
What Causes Excessive Tearing?
- dry eyes
- blepharitis
- topical medications
- misdirected eyelashes (entropion)
- loose or lax eyelids (ectropion)
- blocked tearducts
Looseness or laxity to the eyelids (ectropion) does not allow the normal tear-pumping mechanism to function properly and the tears cannot flow into the tear duct.
Blockages of the lacrimal duct can cause infections and excess tearing.
How Is Excessive Tearing Treated?
Dr. Tresley assesses each patient and treats any ocular irritations that may be causing excessive tearing. He can perform minor eyelid repairs, such as ectropion or entropion surgery to restore the normal tear-pump function or proper eyelid position.
Ectropion Before & After
For blocked tear ducts, a new tear drain is created to bypass the blocked lacrimal duct. This surgery is called a Dacryocystorhinostomy or DCR. It can be performed either endoscopically or via a more traditional skin incision approach.
Read What Our Patients Are Saying!
“I went to see Dr. Tresley because I was unhappy with my eyes. Another MD had done my eyes and they just didn’t look right. Dr. Tresley knew immediately what to do and how to fix the problem. He never said a disparaging word about what the other MD had done. He was professional and gracious. I love my eyes now that Dr. Tresley has fixed them!”
*Individual results may vary