Anyone BTDT?
My friend has a 1 year old who has a blocked tear duct and it's been getting infected off and on almost since she was born.
Her daughter has had to go under anethesia to unblock it and put tubes in- 4 times. The doctors are recommending a surgery that could poke a hole in her nose bone, allowing her tears to be deposited in her nose since her lacrimal duct is always getting blocked. It would cause it to bypass the duct, but it's a pretty serious surgery.
She's upset because she thinks her doctor caused the infection by poking a hole in the sac. He never recommended that she just MASSAGE the inner eye to get it unblocked.
Anyway, anyone ever had a External Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)? They can do it with lasers now too. She's nervous.
Any help would be appreciated!!!

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 04:11 pm:

I would immediately go for a second opinion - to an opthalmologist, preferably a pediatric opthalmologist, and most preferably someone at a . I would certainly not have this kind of surgery done on the advice of only one doctor or one practice, especially since she is already mistrustful of the primary doctor. I would also preferably go to a medical school, one that has an branch in opthalmology, when seeking a second opinion. This may mean a trip to Baltimore (I see you are in Maryland), which can be a pain, but on the other hand, if a trip means either avoiding unnecessary surgery or, if it is really necessary, having it done by one of the best in the area, it would, imo, be worth it.

By Kaye on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 04:38 pm:

ditt ginny. She needs another opinion, because IF something goes wrong, she will always doubt if she did the right thing.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 06:51 pm:

Exactly my thinking, Kaye, in addition, of course, to the medical issues.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 06:53 pm:

Ditto Ginny as well.....