Medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of watery eye (epiphora). Family history What is the general health of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Are you exposed to harmful working substances in your profession? Current medical history/systemic medical history (somatic and psychological complaints). How long have … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Medical History
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes Eyes [mucous secretion, tired eyes, swollen eyelids, red eyes], furthermore inspection of eyelids: Examination of the eyelids, the tear points and the area in the … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Examination
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification Fasting glucose (fasting blood glucose).
Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Slit-lamp examination (slit-lamp microscope; viewing of the eyeball under appropriate illumination and high magnification) [for findings, see “Physical examination”] Schirmer test (tear secretion test): measurement of the amount of tear production; for this purpose, a 5 mm wide and 35 mm long filter paper strip (litmus paper) is inserted into the … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Diagnostic Tests
To prevent watery eyes (epiphora), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral causes Diet Hot spices Psycho-social situation Grief Medication Eye drops containing echothiophate, epinephrine or pilocarpine. Medications that can lead to dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) Environmental stress – intoxications (poisoning) (including the issue of dry eyes and consequently reflex tears). … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Prevention
Note: Irrigation of the nasolacrimal duct may be sufficient for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction! 1st order Dilation (stretching) – in the case of lacrimal punctal or canaliculus stenosis. Dacryocystorhinostomy (synonym: Toti surgery): surgical creation of a connection between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity to restore the flow of tears from the lacrimal sac … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Surgical Therapy
Note: A large amount of tear fluid flushes the oily lubricating film out of the eye, so despite the heavy flow of tears, it is referred to as dry eye. The following recommendations are aimed at patients with reflex tears. Reflex tears are tears that are a reaction to dryness of the ocular surface. General … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Therapy
Pathogenesis (development of disease) In watery eyes (epiphora), tear production exceeds outflow capacity. Increased tear production due to, for example, emotional factors (grief, pain), inflammation, local irritation by foreign bodies, wind, cold, etc. Outflow obstruction may occur due to local irritation or blocked tear ducts. Etiology (causes) Biographic causes Lagophthalmos (incomplete eyelid closure). Altered tear … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Causes
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by watery eyes (epiphora): Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59). Impairment of vision Corneal scarring (if a corneal ulcer is the cause of the watery eye)
Watery eyes (epiphora) (synonyms: Ocular discharge; lacrimation; watery eye; watery eye; ICD-10-GM H04.2: Affections of the lacrimal apparatus: epiphora), tear production exceeds drainage capacity, resulting in leakage of lacrimal fluid over the lid margins. Clinical Anatomy The lacrimal apparatus (Apparatus lacrimalis) serves to produce, transmit, and drain tears: Each eye has two lacrimal tubules that … Watery Eyes (Epiphora)
The following symptoms and complaints may occur together with watery eyes (epiphora): Leading symptom Watering eyes Possible accompanying symptoms Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) Pain and redness in the inner corner of the eyelid in acute inflammation of the lacrimal sac (dacryocystitis). Warning signs (red flags) The following are clues to the presence of specific … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99). Stenosis (narrowing) of the lacrimal duct. Respiratory system (J00-J99) Rhinitis allergica (RA) (synonyms: allergic rhinopathy; allergic rhinitis; pollen-related allergic rhinitis, hay fever, hay fever, or pollinosis) – symptomatic hypersensitivity reaction of the nose induced by IgE-mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis) as a result of allergen exposure. … Watery Eyes (Epiphora): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
