Tearing & Tear Duct Surgery (DCR)

Tearing & Tear Duct Surgery (DCR) When tearing is caused by a physical blockage in the tear drainage system rather than eyelid position or dry eye, a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) may be recommended. This procedure creates a new drainage pathway for tears to bypass the blocked duct and flow normally into the nasal cavity. Blocked tear ducts become more common with age due to narrowing of the natural drainage channels and are a frequent, often under-diagnosed, cause of chronic tearing and recurrent eye infections in older adults.
DCR can be performed externally through a small incision or internally through the nostril, depending on the specifics of the blockage and surgeon preference. It's typically performed under general or local anesthesia with sedation, and most patients see a significant reduction in tearing and related infections within a few weeks of healing. For patients who've tried drops or in-office treatments without relief, DCR often provides the lasting solution that non-surgical options couldn't.