How can you prevent an inflamed tear duct?
To prevent inflammation of the lacrimal duct, it is important to eliminate potential causes early on. Since the cause is often an obstruction in the drainage of the lacrimal fluid, lacrimal duct stenosis, polyps or tumors that obstruct the lacrimal duct should be treated and if necessary surgically removed. In some cases, the cause of an inflamed lacrimal duct is the spread of conjunctivitis or inflammation of the eyelid margin (barley grain) to the lacrimal duct. Therefore, in the case of an existing conjunctivitis or inflammation of the eyelid margin, rubbing against the affected eye should be avoided in order not to introduce germs into the lacrimal duct.
What is the prognosis for an inflamed tear duct?
The prognosis of the inflamed lacrimal duct depends on its cause and on the underlying disease of the affected person. In many cases, adequate treatment of the inflamed lacrimal duct with antibiotics can lead to a cure.It is important to avoid the development of complications (phlegmons and abscesses, see above) through early treatment, as these can be extremely dangerous clinical pictures.
