Lacrimal System Disorders

On this page

Lacrimal A&P - Teary Terrain Tour

Lacrimal Apparatus Anatomy

  • Glands:
    • Main Lacrimal Gland: Orbital & Palpebral parts.
    • Accessory Glands: Krause (fornices), Wolfring (tarsal borders).
  • Tear Film Layers (📌 LAMb - Outer to Inner):
    • Lipid: Outermost (Meibomian glands); prevents evaporation.
    • Aqueous: Middle (Lacrimal & accessory); volume, nutrition.
    • Mucin: Innermost (Goblet cells); adherence to cornea.
  • Drainage Pathway:
    • Puncta → Canaliculi (Superior, Inferior → Common) → Lacrimal Sac → Nasolacrimal Duct (NLD) → Valve of Hasner (opens into inferior meatus).
  • Innervation:
    • Parasympathetic: CN VII (via pterygopalatine ganglion) → secretion ↑.
    • Sympathetic: Superior cervical ganglion.
    • Sensory: Lacrimal nerve (CN V1).
  • Tear Functions:
    • Optical clarity, lubrication, corneal nutrition, antibacterial (lysozyme, lactoferrin, IgA).

⭐ The lacrimal gland is a serous gland located in the superotemporal orbit.

Production Pathologies - Wet or Withered?

  • Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca - KCS): Insufficient tears.
    • Types:
      • Aqueous Deficient: ↓ production (e.g., Sjögren's).
      • Evaporative: ↑ loss (e.g., MGD).
    • Symptoms: Grittiness, burning, foreign body sensation, transient blur.
    • Tests:
      • Schirmer: Tear volume. Normal >10-15mm/5min.
      • TBUT (Tear Film Break-Up Time): Stability. Normal >10s.
      • Stains: Rose Bengal/Lissamine Green (devitalized cells); Fluorescein (epithelial defects).
    • Management: Artificial tears, punctal occlusion, cyclosporine, lifitegrast.
  • Epiphora (Watering Eye): Excessive tearing.
    • Hypersecretion: Reflex (irritation, inflammation), emotional.
    • Outflow Obstruction: Anatomical (blockage), functional (pump failure).

⭐ Schirmer I test measures basic and reflex tear secretion; Schirmer II (after topical anesthetic) assesses basic secretion only.

Drainage Dilemmas - Clogged Canals Crisis

  • Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (CNLDO)

    • Blockage: Valve of Hasner.
    • Symptoms: Epiphora, matting, ROP (+ve regurgitation).
    • Mgmt: Crigler massage; probing if no resolve by 9-12 months; DCR.

    ⭐ The most common cause of CNLDO is a membranous obstruction at the valve of Hasner.

  • Acquired NLDO

    • PANDO: Idiopathic, middle-aged women.
    • SANDO: Trauma, infection, inflammation, tumor, iatrogenic.
  • Investigations

    • FDDT, Jones I & II tests, DCG, Scintigraphy.
  • Dacryocystitis (Lacrimal sac inflammation)

    • Acute: Pain, swelling, redness, fever (S. aureus, Strep). Mgmt: Systemic Abx, warm compress, I&D if abscess.
    • Chronic: Epiphora, mucoid discharge (S. epidermidis, Candida). Mgmt: DCR.
  • Canaliculitis (Canaliculus inflammation)

    • Often Actinomyces israelii (sulfur granules).
    • Mgmt: Expression, Abx, canaliculotomy.

Lacrimal system anatomy and disorders

Glandular Growths - Lumpy Lacrimals

Lacrimal gland tumors: 50% epithelial, 50% lymphoid/inflammatory.

  • Epithelial Tumors:

    FeatureBenign (Pleomorphic Adenoma)Malignant (Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma - ACC)
    CommonestMost common benignMost common malignant (ACC)
    SymptomsPainless proptosisPain, rapid growth
    CTSmooth mass, bony erosion (smooth)Infiltrative, bony destruction
    KeySlow growthPerineural spread (ACC)
    • Other malignant: Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma.
  • Lymphoid/Inflammatory (Pseudotumor):

    • Often bilateral; good steroid response.
  • Presentation: Superotemporal swelling, proptosis, diplopia. Pain suggests malignancy/inflammation.

  • Diagnosis: CT/MRI; Biopsy is crucial.

CT scan showing lacrimal gland tumor

⭐ Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is notorious for perineural invasion and has a poor prognosis.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • CNLDO: Commonest infant epiphora; Crigler massage first, resolves by 9-12 months.
  • Acute Dacryocystitis: Painful, red swelling below medial canthus; Staph aureus common.
  • Chronic Dacryocystitis: Persistent epiphora, mucopurulent reflux (ROPLAS +ve); DCR definitive.
  • Canaliculitis: Actinomyces israelii (sulfur granules); pouting punctum, chronic discharge.
  • DCR: Surgical bypass for acquired NLDO & chronic dacryocystitis.
  • Jones I Test: Fluorescein in nose indicates patent lacrimal passage; differentiates causes of epiphora.

Practice Questions: Lacrimal System Disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following findings is typically NOT seen in a patient with allergic conjunctivitis?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Lacrimal System Disorders

1/10

The _____ is a chronic non-suppurative lipogranulomatous inflammation of the Meibomian gland.

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

The _____ is a chronic non-suppurative lipogranulomatous inflammation of the Meibomian gland.

Chalazion

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial