About Dacryocystorhinostomy
Key Highlights
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Effectively resolves chronic, bothersome tearing (epiphora).Prevents recurrent painful eye infections (dacryocystitis).Offers two main approaches: traditional external and minimally invasive endoscopic.High long-term success rate in restoring normal tear drainage.Can significantly improve quality of life and eye comfort.
Who is this surgery for?
- Complete or partial blockage of the nasolacrimal duct (NLDO).
- Chronic dacryocystitis (infection of the tear sac).
- Persistent, unexplained tearing (epiphora) interfering with daily life.
- Mucocele (mucus-filled swelling) of the lacrimal sac.
- Failed response to conservative treatments like massage or antibiotics.
- Blockage due to trauma, stones (dacryoliths), tumors, or congenital issues.
How to prepare
- Complete ophthalmic and nasal examination to confirm diagnosis.
- Pre-operative imaging such as a dacryocystogram (DCG) may be performed.
- Disclosure of all current medications, especially blood thinners.
- May need to stop certain medications (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) as advised by the surgeon.
- Fasting for several hours before the surgery if general anesthesia is planned.
- Discussion of anesthesia options (local with sedation or general).
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding from the nose or incision site.
- Infection at the surgical site.
- Scar formation (more relevant for external approach).
- Failure of the new opening (ostium) to remain open, requiring revision surgery.
- Injury to nearby structures (rare), such as orbital fat or nasal septum.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (extremely rare).
- Persistent or altered nasal bleeding or congestion.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Mild pain, bruising, and swelling around the eye/nose are common initially.
- Nasal packing (if used) is typically removed within 1-2 days.
- Antibiotic and steroid eye drops/ointment are prescribed to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
- Patients should avoid blowing their nose forcefully, strenuous activity, and bending over for 1-2 weeks.
- Nasal saline sprays help keep the new passage moist and clear.
- Follow-up visits are crucial to monitor healing and irrigate the new drainage pathway.
- Final results, with complete resolution of tearing, may take a few weeks.
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Typical hospital stay: 1 day (often outpatient for endoscopic)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks for initial recovery; 4-6 weeks for full healing
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering dacryocystorhinostomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for dacryocystorhinostomy in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Manipal Hospital Goa , known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform dacryocystorhinostomy. MediFyr helps you compare ophthalmologists 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 dacryocystorhinostomy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 35 Thousand – 120 Thousand | 1 day (often outpatient for endoscopic) | ~ 1-2 weeks for initial recovery; 4-6 weeks for full healing | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 123 Thousand – 420 Thousand | 1 day (often outpatient for endoscopic) | ~ 1-2 weeks for initial recovery; 4-6 weeks for full healing | Know More |
Top hospitals for Dacryocystorhinostomy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ophthalmology teams and experience managing patients undergoing dacryocystorhinostomy.
Sarah Davis, a 42-year-old elementary school...
Sarah Davis, a 42-year-old elementary school teacher and mother of two, had struggled with a constantly watering left eye for over a year. It began as a minor annoyance but progressed to the point where her vision would blur, and she had to constantly dab her eye with a tissue, which was embarrassing during parent-teacher conferences. Her eye was often red and prone to infections. Her ophthalmologist, Dr. Chen, diagnosed a blocked nasolacrimal duct. After trying antibiotics and warm compresses with no lasting relief, Dr. Chen recommended a Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) to create a new drainage pathway from her tear sac into her nose. Sarah was anxious about surgery near her eye but desperate for a solution. The procedure, performed under general anesthesia, went smoothly. The recovery involved some nasal congestion and bruising, but the constant tearing stopped almost immediately. Within a month, she was infection-free and no longer needed a tissue in her pocket. Emotionally, she moved from feeling self-conscious and frustrated to relieved and confident, finally able to engage fully with her students and family without distraction.
Ophthalmologists for Dacryocystorhinostomy
Explore experienced ophthalmologists who regularly perform dacryocystorhinostomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 23 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 15 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Ranchi, Ranchi
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 13 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist