About Dacryocystogram
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive and outpatient procedure with no surgical incisions.Provides real-time, dynamic visualization of the entire tear drainage pathway.Highly accurate in locating the site and cause of blockage (e.g., stricture, stone, tumor).Essential for planning corrective surgeries like DCR (Dacryocystorhinostomy).Typically quick, often completed within 15-30 minutes.Uses a safe, water-soluble contrast agent that is easily absorbed by the body./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent, unexplained watering of the eye (epiphora).
- Recurrent infections or inflammation of the tear sac (dacryocystitis).
- Suspected blockage (stenosis or obstruction) of the nasolacrimal duct.
- Evaluation prior to or following tear duct surgery (DCR).
- Assessment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants.
- Investigation of trauma or injury affecting the tear drainage system.
- To rule out tumors or masses causing obstruction.
How to prepare
- Inform your doctor about all medications, allergies (especially to iodine or contrast dye), and any history of kidney problems.
- You may be asked to stop taking blood-thinning medications (like aspirin) a few days before, as advised by your physician.
- No fasting is usually required for a standard dacryocystogram.
- Remove any eye makeup or contact lenses before the procedure.
- A topical anesthetic (numbing eye drops) will be applied to your eye to minimize discomfort.
- You will be positioned lying down on the X-ray table, and you must remain still during image capture.
Risks & possible complications
- Mild, temporary discomfort, stinging, or a salty taste during dye injection.
- Minor bleeding from the puncta (tear duct opening).
- Risk of infection at the injection site, though very low.
- Allergic reaction to the contrast dye (rare; symptoms may include rash or itching).
- Extravasation (leakage) of contrast material into surrounding tissues, causing temporary swelling.
- Very rarely, the procedure can cause a false passage if the cannula is misplaced.
Recovery & hospital stay
- You can resume normal activities almost immediately after the procedure.
- You may experience slight blurry vision or mild irritation in the eye for a short period.
- Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops for a few days to prevent infection.
- Gently wipe away any residual contrast dye or discharge from the eyelid with a clean tissue.
- Avoid rubbing the eye vigorously for a few hours.
- Follow-up with your ophthalmologist or radiologist to discuss the results and next steps.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 0-1 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering dacryocystogram in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with radiology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform dacryocystogram. MediFyr helps you compare radiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for dacryocystogram compare across other countries where we have data.
Sara Reddy, a 42-year-old graphic designer...
Sara Reddy, a 42-year-old graphic designer and mother of two, had been struggling with a persistent, watery left eye for over six months. It was constantly tearing, making her work on digital screens uncomfortable and blurring her vision. She often had to wipe her eye, and she felt self-conscious during client meetings. Her ophthalmologist suspected a blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal duct obstruction) and referred her to a radiologist for a dacryocystogram to confirm the diagnosis and pinpoint the location of the blockage. During the procedure, Sara was nervous but the radiologist and technician were very reassuring. They explained each step as they instilled a contrast dye into her tear duct. The sensation was strange but not painful, and the X-ray imaging was quick. The images clearly showed a narrowing in her nasolacrimal duct. Emotionally, Sara felt relief at finally having a clear answer after months of frustration. Post-procedure, she had some minor, temporary blurring and a metallic taste. With the confirmed diagnosis, she was scheduled for a successful balloon dacryoplasty to open the duct. Her tearing resolved completely, restoring her confidence and comfort at work and home.
Radiologists for Dacryocystogram
Explore experienced radiologists who regularly perform dacryocystogram and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 33 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 45 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 35 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 34 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Radiologist
- 31 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 27 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 25 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 20 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 19 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 14 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 11 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida