Dr. Ong Chin Tuan

According to Dr Ong, the signs and symptoms of a blocked tear duct include excessive tearing, redness of the white part of the eye, recurrent eye infection or inflammation, painful swelling near the inside corner of the eye, crusting (formation of a hard, outer layer) of the eyelids, and mucous or pus discharge from the lids and surface of the eye. An ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose a blocked tear duct, and the treatment options will depend on the level of the obstruction and the severity of the tear duct blockage. The treatment options are external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery, endoscopic DCR surgery, stenting or intubation, and dilation and flushing of the tear ducts. Treatment is usually successful more than 90% of the time.

Menurut Dr Ong, selain menunjukkan emosi sedih seseorang, air mata juga mempunyai fungsi kesihatan seperti mengekalkan kelembapan mata untuk mengatasi mata kering, membersihkan mata daripada habuk dan bendasing, serta membantu membekalkan nutrisi ke dalam mata. Ujarnya, kelenjar lakrimal di dalam mata menghasilkan sebahagian besar daripada jumlah air mata di mana ia terletak di dalam kelopak atas pada setiap mata. Biasanya, air mata mengalir dari kelenjar ini di atas permukaan mata dan mengalir ke lubang-lubang kecil (punctum) yang terletak di sudut-sudut kelopak mata atas dan bawah.