Is Tear Duct Surgery Painful?

Most patients experience minimal discomfort, and any soreness or swelling afterward is usually manageable with prescribed pain medications or over-the-counter options.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of appointments needed for tear duct surgery varies based on your individual care plan but typically includes: Consultation: Dr. Heringer will assess your symptoms, perform tests if necessary, and explain your treatment options. Pre-surgery prep: A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to finalize your surgical plan and ensure you’re ready for the procedure. Surgery day is the main event, during which the procedure is performed under local anesthesia or sedation, usually taking less than an hour. Follow-up visits: Post-surgery checkups are essential to monitor healing, remove any stitches, and confirm the tear ducts are functioning as expected. On average, most patients need 3 to 4 appointments from start to finish. Dr. Heringer’s team will guide you every step of the way, ensuring you’re informed, comfortable, and cared for throughout the process.

How Long Until I See Results?

The timeline for seeing results after tear duct surgery depends on the procedure and your healing process. Many patients notice improved tear drainage within a few weeks after surgery. However, full healing and optimal results can take a few months as swelling decreases and your tear ducts adjust to their new function. Dr. Heringer will monitor your progress during follow-up appointments to ensure smooth recovery and long-lasting results. Most patients find relief from symptoms like excessive tearing or infections relatively quickly, enhancing both comfort and quality of life.

Can I Combine Tear Duct Surgery With Other Procedures?

Tear duct surgery can sometimes be combined with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery , to address cosmetic concerns or other functional eye procedures to enhance overall eye health. Dr. Heringer will work with you to create a customized plan, ensuring all procedures are performed safely and efficiently.

What Are the Risks Associated With Tear Duct Surgery?

Tear duct surgery is usually considered safe, but it can carry some risks, such as: Infection Bleeding Bruising Scarring Recurrent obstruction of the tear duct Reaction to anesthesia Dr. Heringer prioritizes patient safety and takes every precaution to minimize risks. During your consultation, he will thoroughly discuss potential complications and ensure you feel confident about the future.

Scottsdale, AZ

Tear Duct Surgery

Introduction

Introduction to Tear Duct Surgery

If you suffer from excessively watery eyes, Dr. Dustin Heringer at Arizona Ocular and Facial Plastic Surgery will thoroughly examine whether tear duct surgery or a more conservative treatment is the right solution for you at our Scottsdale, AZ, practice.

What is Tear Duct Surgery?

Tear duct surgery is an ophthalmologic procedure that corrects malfunctions in the tear duct, such as excessive tearing, infection, or obstruction. Patients may experience watery, irritated eyes and chronic eye infections when tears cannot drain normally.

What are the
benefits of a Tear Duct Surgery

A close-up portrait of a woman resting her head on her hand, with a soft expression and flowing hair, against a neutral background. - Tear duct surgery in Scottsdale, AZ

Tear duct surgery offers several benefits, especially for individuals suffering from chronic tear duct blockages or related issues such as:

Improved tear drainage: The primary benefit is restoring proper tear drainage, which alleviates excessive tearing (epiphora) and discomfort caused by blocked or narrowed tear ducts.
Reduced infections: Chronic blockage can lead to frequent eye infections. Tear duct surgery can prevent these recurring infections by clearing the blockage and allowing the tear ducts to function properly.
Enhanced comfort: By eliminating the irritation and constant tearing associated with a blocked duct, tear duct surgery can significantly improve overall eye comfort and reduce the need for constant wiping or using eye drops.
Better aesthetic appearance: With tear duct issues resolved, patients often experience improved facial appearance, as excessive tearing and watery eyes can make the face appear tired or irritated.
Long-term results: Once the tear duct is repaired, the results can be long-lasting, improving the quality of life for those who have struggled with tear duct problems.

Tear duct surgery allows you to enjoy clearer, more comfortable eyes without constantly fighting tearing or related eye problems.

Who are the
best candidates

The best candidates for tear duct surgery are individuals experiencing chronic or recurrent tear drainage issues, often caused by blockages or narrowing of the tear duct. Candidates include:

People with chronic tear duct blockage
Individuals with infections or inflammation
Those who have tried non-surgical treatments without success
Patients who are in overall good health

A consultation with Dr. Heringer can help assess if tear duct surgery is right for you based on your individual symptoms and health history.

Your Tear Duct Surgery Journey with Dr. Dustin Heringer

What’s the first step?

To determine the cause of your tearing, the doctor will perform a complete exam, which may include measuring your tear production and examining the function and placement of your eyelids and the surrounding muscles. The doctor will also check for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling in the lower eyelid or discharge in the eye.

The doctor will also perform an irrigation test to determine if you have a tear duct blockage. Based on these findings, Dr Heringer will develop a personalized treatment plan for your needs.

What to Expect with Tear Duct Surgery Surgery

The treatment prescribed by Dr. Heringer will depend on the cause of your blockage. If an infection is associated with the blockage, you will be started on antibiotics to clear the infection, and then you will be re-evaluated to determine the next steps.

The doctor may perform an easy outpatient procedure for patients with puncta (tear duct opening). The procedure involves using a small probe to dilate the puncta, followed by the placement of a silicone stent to optimize the enlargement, which improves drainage through the tear duct.

If you have a tear duct blockage, the best treatment is tear duct surgery, also known as a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) – The doctor will make an incision on the side of your nose near the lacrimal sac (where tears drain from the eyelids). He will connect the sac to the nasal cavity and place a stent in the passageway. The doctor will then close the incision using stitches.

Expectation

Your Guide to Post-Tear Duct Surgery Care

Tear Duct Surgery Recovery

After your surgery, the doctor will provide eye drops to alleviate any inflammation and protect against infection.

If the doctor inserts stents into the tear ducts, you will return in three to six months to have them removed.

How Much Does Tear Duct Surgery Cost in Scottsdale, AZ?

Dr. Dustin Heringer and his team are committed to transparency and will discuss all pricing aspects upfront. Schedule a consultation at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery to receive a personalized quote and explore your options.

Cost

Why Choose Dr. Heringer?

Dr. Dustin Heringer is a board-certified oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ. He is known for delivering natural, subtle results and tailoring each procedure to enhance appearance and confidence.

Dr. Heringer holds memberships in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Board of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS), and the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO).

A proud North Dakota native, Dr. Heringer graduated summa cum laude from Concordia College and earned his medical degree from the University of North Dakota, where he received multiple academic honors. He further honed his skills in ophthalmology and general surgery at Oregon Health Sciences University, earning the Swan Research Award for his work in gene therapy.

Dr. Heringer completed two advanced fellowships: a two-year program in oculofacial plastic surgery and a one-year cosmetic surgery fellowship, performing over 1,300 procedures during his training. His expertise includes oculofacial plastic surgery, skin rejuvenation, lasers, and injectable fillers.

Why us?

Tear Duct Surgery FAQ’S

The number of appointments needed for tear duct surgery varies based on your individual care plan but typically includes:
- Consultation: Dr. Heringer will assess your symptoms, perform tests if necessary, and explain your treatment options.
- Pre-surgery prep: A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to finalize your surgical plan and ensure you’re ready for the procedure.
- Surgery day is the main event, during which the procedure is performed under local anesthesia or sedation, usually taking less than an hour.
- Follow-up visits: Post-surgery checkups are essential to monitor healing, remove any stitches, and confirm the tear ducts are functioning as expected.
On average, most patients need 3 to 4 appointments from start to finish. Dr. Heringer’s team will guide you every step of the way, ensuring you’re informed, comfortable, and cared for throughout the process.
The timeline for seeing results after tear duct surgery depends on the procedure and your healing process. Many patients notice improved tear drainage within a few weeks after surgery. However, full healing and optimal results can take a few months as swelling decreases and your tear ducts adjust to their new function.

Dr. Heringer will monitor your progress during follow-up appointments to ensure smooth recovery and long-lasting results. Most patients find relief from symptoms like excessive tearing or infections relatively quickly, enhancing both comfort and quality of life.
Tear duct surgery is usually considered safe, but it can carry some risks, such as:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Scarring
- Recurrent obstruction of the tear duct
- Reaction to anesthesia
Dr. Heringer prioritizes patient safety and takes every precaution to minimize risks. During your consultation, he will thoroughly discuss potential complications and ensure you feel confident about the future.

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Schedule a Consultation

Our eyes are among our most precious assets, yet too often, people take them for granted. If you are experiencing excessive tearing, don’t wait for it to clear up on its own. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heringer.