Article Sections

Introduction

Dacryocystitis is an inflammatory condition of the lacrimal sac caused by obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct.  It results in the accumulation and stagnation of tears within the lacrimal sac, which promote infection and inflammation.  Symptoms include tenderness, erythema, and edema over the inferior medial canthus; purulent discharge may be expressed from the eyelid puncta.  Treatment of acute infection involves warm compresses, lacrimal sac massage, and antibiotics.

Pathophysiology and risk factors

The lacrimal system is responsible for draining tears from the eye into the nasal cavity ( Figure 1).  Dacryocystitis occurs when the nasolacrimal duct becomes obstructed and tears back up into the lacrimal sac.  Stagnation of fluid within the sac creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth.  Common pathogens implicated in dacryocystitis include Staphylococcus aureus

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