Surgical treatment of dacryocystitis.

Dacryocystitis is a common infection of the lacrimal sac. In adults, dacryocystitis results from an obstruction (ie, dacryostenosis) of the nasolacrimal duct. Dacryocystitis can be either an acute or chronic infection, and both forms usually are unilateral in nature. The hallmark symptom of both forms of dacryocystitis is epiphora (ie, excessive tearing). An obstruction of the lacrimal duct also can cause dacryocystitis. This article discusses the surgical treatment of dacryocystitis and provides a case study that illustrates perioperative nursing care of a patient who required surgical treatment of this lacrimal duct disorder.