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- $Unique_ID{BRK01669}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Causes for Excessive Tearing}
- $Subject{eyes tearing Sense Senses crying tears Tear ducts eye dry syndrome
- wet eyelid eyedrops dacryocystorhinostomy special procedure procedures
- operation operations cry duct syndromes eyelids eyedrop drop drops
- dacryocystorhinostomies watering}
- $Volume{F-21,P-21}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Causes for Excessive Tearing
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- QUESTION: I am never without a tissue in my hand, for I am constantly
- "crying" with the tears just flowing down my cheek. I am not sad or anything,
- and just don't know why this is going on, but it all seemed to start when I
- turned 70. Can you tell me what is wrong?
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- ANSWER: As we age, our "tearing system" changes. Tear ducts, that allow the
- tears to drain out of the eye, become narrowed or blocked causing excessive
- tearing and repeated eye infections. Surprisingly, even the "dry eye
- syndrome" can cause excessive tearing in an attempt to keep the eye's surface
- wet. Aging decreases the amount of tears and the consistency of the tear
- film. The eye becomes irritated and in response produces more tears, but
- they just don't have the right ingredients to lubricate the eye. Artificial
- tears are recommended. Or course exposure to a constant irritant can cause
- excessive tearing. Your own doctor can check to make sure there is nothing
- embedded in the eyelid or eye. If the problem is a blocked duct, your doctor
- may treat it with antibiotic eyedrops, then send you to a specialist to have
- the ducts syringed, a minor and painless procedure which usually clears up
- situations such as yours. If that fails, you may require a major operation
- called a "dacryocystorhinostomy" (whew), which forms a new channel through
- which your tears can drain inside your nose. This is a delicate operation and
- is performed only in cases where the person suffers from repeated eye
- infections.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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