Tearing Problems
Tearing throughout the day can affect your ability to read, drive, and do the things you enjoy. Tearing can be caused by a number of things, including dry eyes, eyelid abnormalities, or problems with tear drain. If you’re struggling with persistent tearing problems, paying a visit to your ophthalmologist may help you determine whether the problem is eyelid or tear drain related. Afterward, we invite you to visit Dr. Connor to find an appropriate cure for your issue.
What Are Tearing Problems?
The eyelids serve as a pump mechanism to push the tears toward the small openings of the tear drain. Eyelid abnormalities such as laxity, retraction, entropion, or ectropion may prevent the tears from making it to the tear drain. Surgery to put the eyelids back where they once were may eliminate tearing.
Who Can Benefit From Addressing Tearing Problems?
Both the upper and lower eyelids have openings called the punctum. These four openings, or puncta, are essentially little valves that control the flow of tears. Each time we blink, some tear fluid is pumped out of the eye for lubrication. When the puncta are blocked via dirt, skin cells, or dust, tearing problems tend to occur. While this is only one of the many reasons for this concern, it is quite common. As such, people experiencing excessive tearing – whether young or old – can benefit most from visiting a doctor familiar with the tear ducts and their related systems.
How Are Tearing Problems Addressed?
There are numerous causes of tearing problems, including infection or inflammatory changes. A number of surgical and nonsurgical treatments are available for tearing. Depending on the cause, treatment may be as simple as using warm compresses. Some minor tear drain surgeries can be performed in the office. A new tear drain can be created (dacryocystorhinostomy or DCR), in which case your surgery may be performed at an outpatient facility or the hospital operating room.
Benefits of Resolving Tearing Problems
Addressing tearing problems early can help resolve both the issue itself and its underlying cause. Irritation, dryness, and inflammation caused by punctum blockage is typically the source of this symptom. Additionally, lax eyelid closing may also be a contributing factor. By identifying these issues early on, you can reap the benefit of effective long-term treatment.
What Can I Expect During My Procedure?
When you come in for a consultation with Dr. Connor, he will ask you a series of questions and examine your eyes. Afterward, some tests may be required to determine the source of your tearing problems. Treatment for tear drainage issues may require surgical assistance in some cases. However, Dr. Connor is widely known as one of the best eye surgeons in South Florida. He will do his best to provide you with a quick and highly effective treatment option.
Recovery After Treating Tearing Problems
Recovery after treatment is highly dependent on the type of procedure required. If surgery is needed, you can expect to be able to go back to work and resume non-strenuous daily routines a few days after your visit in most cases. Due to their invasive nature, surgical procedures typically result in some initial swelling and/or bruising around the eyes. However, these symptoms should fade rather quickly. If needed, any discomfort experienced can be effectively controlled with medication.
How Much Does Treatment Cost?
The cost of treating tearing problems is dependent upon several factors. Whether surgery will be required, the overall complexity of the procedure and how much of the treatment is covered by insurance. Due to these variables, Dr. Connor will need to perform an in-person assessment to provide an accurate quote for treatment. At this time, a member of our team can also help determine what specific guidelines must be met to qualify for insurance coverage based on your particular healthcare plan.
Does Insurance Cover Treatments for Tearing Problems?
Surgery that is deemed “medical” as opposed to “cosmetic” is covered in part by most insurance packages. However, this is highly dependent on your particular coverage and concern. Depending on the treatment necessary to address your problem, insurance can provide anything from full coverage to no coverage. In order to determine this, we encourage you to speak with your insurance provider and a member of our staff.
Dr. Connor is not only a great surgeon, but a great guy as well. He has treated me personally as well as numerous friends of mine. I would highly recommend him to anyone considering any oculoplastic procedure.
– Daniel B.
Help With Tearing Problems in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Palm Beach Gardens oculoplastic surgeon Michael Connor, MD is considered one of the top eyelid surgeons in South Florida. As an eyelid surgery expert, Dr. Connor is happy to provide tearing treatments to the wonderful Florida community. For more information about our surgical procedures, please contact Oculoplastic & Orbital Consultants today by calling (561) 845-6500 or filling out the form below.
REQUEST CONSULTATION
