This procedure is performed to see if the tear ducts are patent.
What does it involve?
Local anaesthetic drops are put in the corner of the affected eye to numb the area.A small plastic catheter is placed into the tear duct at the corner of the eye. The patient then closes their eye and the catheter is taped into place. Contrast medium is slowly and gently injected into the duct and a series of x-rays are taken to show if the tear duct is patent. The catheter is removed and the patient sits up to allow gravity to drain the contrast from the eye. To prevent dust getting into the eye, an eye pad is placed over the affected side. The local anaesthetic takes about 4 hours to wear off.
