DCR

[puzzled21]

I had a DCR a year and 1/2 ago. After 6 months from the procedure, I started having problems with excessive discharge. Then it became so bad, that I had sharp pain in the left eye (surgery eye). Anyhow, I was then diagnosed with blepharitis, took some antibiotics and use an ointment daily along with scrub cleaning the eye lashes after warm them with compresses. The problem is that I still have problems in the surgery eye, the sharp pain returns ever so often, along with the congestion in the nostril with the new tubing. So, my question is can you have blepharitis in one eye only? Is it a consequence of the surgery? The surgeon had to unplug the new duct once and now he states we may need new surgery. I am really concerned and would like a second opinion, however I live in a rural area without many options. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

good luck
JCH MD

[puzzled21]

Thank you Dr. Hagan for the answer. I am reading a lot about the condition. Also, I saw a Physician Assistant at school that prescribed me drops that are usually prescribed for people who had catarat surgery and it has been working well. Better than the ointments I was using after stopping Tobradex.
Anyhow, thank you for your answer.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and archives and read about blepharitis. It us usually bilateral and not usually cause one eye water.   Use the search and archvies also to read about DCRs.  It is not rare for the opening made by the DCR to shrink down.  I trained at Emory and you might want to make an appointment there with their oculoplastic surgeon for a second opinion. Sometimes a specially trained ophthalmologist that can use an endoscope look up the nose and stretch the opening without having major repeat surgery.

JCH MD