The bags under the eyes are anatomical structures that everyone has, and they usually become noticeable when the skin ages and the bags under the eyes are perceived as an aesthetic impairment. In contrast, dacryocystitis can also cause the bags under the eyes to be “unpleasantly” noticeable.
What is dacryocystitis?
The word dacryocystitis, which is used in definitions of lacrimal sac inflammation, is made up of several parts. The suffix -itis is typical of the inflammation. In dacryocystitis, the inflammatory process is located directly in one or both lacrimal sacs. The inflammation in dacryocystitis usually manifests in a very sensitive part of the eye region. Dacryocystitis usually occurs in the area where the so-called inner corner of the eyelid meets the upper part of the nose. Dacryocystitis occurs in very young children as well as in adults.
Causes
In the diseases of the lacrimal tract, to which dacryocystitis belongs, causes are present, which can be found both in infectious pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or in fine particles of dirt. In a microbiological smear, streptococci and pneumococci are predominantly found in dacryocystitis. Staphylococci are also among the pus-producing triggers of dacryocystitis. If dacryocystitis occurs in very young children, the tear ducts, which are usually not yet fully developed, are responsible. Some very young children are also born with a congenital obstruction of the lacrimal ducts, so that they can immediately suffer from dacryocystitis. Dacryocystitis can also occur when unconscious eye rubbing causes dirt to be rubbed into the outlet of the lacrimal gland, causing it to become inflamed.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
In dacryocystitis, a painful area develops between the eyelid and the eye. This swells during the course of the disease leads to the typical swelling and redness of the bags under the eyes. The affected area is warmer than other regions of the face, and also reacts much more sensitively to pressure. This is accompanied by the affected lacrimal sac filling with pus. In most cases, pus also leaks from the affected eye, which can lead to inflammation and impaired vision. In addition, dacryocystitis leads to severe discomfort in the affected person. In most cases, there is an increasing feeling of illness, which has a long-term effect on physical and mental performance. In addition, there are symptoms such as fatigue, fever and, under certain circumstances, cardiovascular problems. Externally, the disease can be recognized by the visible swelling of the lacrimal sac. Tear flow is usually increased, and the entire eye is usually red and swollen. Often, both eyes are affected by dacryocystitis. The swelling often goes down on its own and does not require further evaluation by the doctor. Sometimes, however, dacryocystitis can develop into a chronic condition that is associated with symptoms such as severe pain, redness, and vision problems.
Diagnosis
In dacryocystitis, an initially painful area develops on the inside of the eye at the beginning of the inflammation. In addition, this region, along with the bags under the eyes, swells in dacryocystitis and becomes warmer than other areas of the face. Over time, dacryocystitis develops into an extremely painful condition that encompasses the entire lacrimal sac. In some circumstances, patients with dacryocystitis suffer from general physical malaise, similar to a flu-like infection. Especially in young children, an increased body temperature and faintness as well as the clearly visible swelling of the lacrimal sac are noticeable. Increased discharge of secretions from the nose is often perceptible in dacryocystitis. Tears also flow profusely. Pus may be secreted at the exit of the lacrimal duct in dacryocystitis. Usually, both tear ducts are involved in dacryocystitis. At diagnosis, a microbiologic culture may be obtained in addition to radiographic imaging of the lacrimal system.
Complications
Because of dacryocystitis, the patient usually suffers from ocular discomfort. These can be varied, so different complications can also occur. Most often, however, there are reddened eyes that water heavily.There is no clear cause for the tearing, such as a foreign body in the eye. As a result, the eyes swell and are also sensitive to pressure. Not infrequently, there is also severe pain in the eye region. Due to the pain, the patient is impaired in his daily life. Usually there is also a fever-like condition, whereby the patient, feels sick and tired. There is a general feeling of weakness. In dacryocystitis, however, visual complaints may also occur, when the affected person no longer feels beautiful or suffers from a lowered self-esteem. The treatment itself is carried out with the help of painkillers and antibiotics. In most cases, these take effect relatively quickly and treat the disease well. Over time, the symptoms recede. Only in rare cases are surgical interventions necessary.
When should you see a doctor?
If dacryocystitis persists for more than a few days, is unusually severe or causes discomfort, it is best to inform the family doctor or directly a specialist in ophthalmology. It is possible that the bags under the eyes are due to an allergy or disease that needs to be clarified and treated. In particular, persistent pain, redness or visual disturbances indicate a deeper problem – with these symptoms you should definitely go to the doctor. People who regularly suffer from bags under the eyes due to alcohol consumption, lack of sleep or excessive crying should work through the causative problems in conversation with a therapist. Occasionally, comprehensive life counseling also helps. In the case of pronounced dacryocystitis, emergency medical services should be contacted. This is especially true for severe swelling and inflammation, as well as bleeding around the bags under the eyes. If the bags under the eyes should lead to decreased self-esteem, surgical intervention is also an option. It is advisable to talk to your family doctor at an early stage, who can examine the dacryocystitis and initiate further measures if necessary.
Treatment and therapy
Therapy for dacryocystitis depends on the age and extent of the affected person. Children are treated with massages of the lacrimal sacs or with antibiotic-containing eye drops or eye ointments. In addition, there is the possibility of administering decongestant medication directly into the eye or waiting for pus to drain. If this is not successful in dacryocystitis, surgical opening is performed. Dacryocystitis in adults is treated by administering ointments and drops to treat the symptoms as well as the causes. If the diagnosis of dacryocystitis shows that the nasolacrimal duct, which opens into the nose, has closed, opening is inevitable. This procedure is also called dacryocystorhinostomosis (rhinos – the nose). This technology is based in dacryocystitis either opening through the nose or outside.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, dacryocystitis is an aesthetic complaint that does not necessarily need to be treated for this reason. If it does not cause discomfort or limitations in daily life, no medical intervention is necessary. The affected persons may suffer from severe discomfort of the eyes in case of untreated dacryocystitis. This results in watery and reddened eyes, which may also be swollen. In some cases, there is also eye pain. If dacryocystitis is not treated, visual disturbances may also develop. Self-healing does not occur with this disease. Therefore, if it leads to discomfort, medical treatment is very useful. The treatment itself can take place by a surgical intervention or with the help of medication. This will permanently resolve the symptoms of dacryocystitis and there will be no further complications or discomfort. The life expectancy of the patient is also not reduced by the disease. In mild cases, the disease can also be treated with the help of massages or eye drops. This can also result in a positive course of the disease.
Prevention
To prevent dacryocystitis, cleanliness should be the top priority. This is especially the case in young children. In this regard, rubbing in the eyes with dirty hands should be avoided.In case of a noticeable increase of the nasal secretion and occurring pressure pains near the bags under the eyes, a doctor should be consulted in time to avoid a progression of the dacryocystitis. Dacryocystitis caused by permanently dry eyes can be treated with high-quality medications that keep the eyes moist and support the flushing out of foreign bodies. This also keeps the drainage tubules for the tear fluid free and dacryocystitis can be prevented.
Follow-up
In most cases of dacryocystitis, the measures of follow-up care are limited. In this case, the disease must primarily be treated by a physician to relieve the symptoms. Usually, after the treatment itself, there is no need for direct aftercare if the dacryocystitis has been properly corrected. There are also no particular complications and the life expectancy of the patient is not reduced by this disease. The treatment of dacryocystitis has to be done only if the patient feels uncomfortable with the symptoms or wants to correct them in any case. In this case, a minor surgical procedure is performed, and the patient should rest and take care of his body after the procedure. Especially the region of the eyes and the head should be particularly protected. In order to prevent infections or inflammations, the person affected by dacryocystitis should also take antibiotics after the procedure. Care should be taken to ensure correct dosage and regular intake. In this regard, they should not be taken together with alcohol.
What you can do yourself
The most effective remedy for dacryocystitis is prevention. Lacrimation can be prevented in many cases by keeping the eyes clean and moist. Care should be taken, especially with young children, to avoid rubbing their eyes with dirty hands. Adults can reduce bags under the eyes by using face masks with curd or cucumber. Equally effective: a used tea bag with green or black tea, cooled and placed on the bags under the eyes. Alternatively, aloe vera, nut oil or wheat germ oil can be placed on the closed eyes. Eyebright tea or chamomile cream from the pharmacy help to reduce the swelling of the bags under the eyes. In addition, regular massages and sports such as jumping rope or jogging are recommended. Stepping or bouncing on the indoor trampoline also reduces water retention in the tissues and improves overall blood circulation to the bags under the eyes and the entire body. Sufferers should also use dietary measures. Salt consumption is best reduced (the mineral binds fluid, increasing the risk of bags under the eyes), while alcohol and nicotine should be avoided completely. The aforementioned tips are best used in consultation with a primary care physician to avoid complications from self-treatment of dacryocystitis.
