epiphora (abnormal tearing)

Etiology

• ocular irritation & inflammation
  • allergies
    • allergic rhinitis
  • environmental irritant, such as wind or smoke
  • common cold
  • trichiasis
  • entropion
  • dacryocystitis
  • blepharitis
  • corneal abrasion
  • corneal ulcer
  • eye foreign body
  • ectropion
  • entropion
  • keratitis
  • stye (sty)
  • looking at computer screen or reading for long periods of time
• blocked tear duct
  • failure of the nasolacrimal duct to open (neonate)
  • poor surgical reconstruction of the nasolacrimal duct system after

* for decreased tearing, see xerophthalmia (dry eyes)

Pathology

• ocular irritation & inflammation
• blockage in the lacrimal drainage system, which impairs normal tear channeling into the nose

Clinical manifestations

• overflow of tears onto the face

Complications

• recurrent infection may also occur as a result of the stagnation of tears

Management

• dacryocystorhinostomy may alleviate symptoms

More general terms

• sign/symptom
• lacrimal apparatus disease; lacrimal gland disease