Infection of the lacrimal sac or tear duct is called?

• A. Dacryocystitis
• B. Conjunctivitis
• C. Blepharitis
• D. Chalazion

Answer: (A)

Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac and often the nasolacrimal duct that drains tears into the nose. Tears normally flow from the puncta through the canaliculi into the lacrimal sac and then down the nasolacrimal duct; when this drainage system is blocked, tears can stagnate and bacteria cause infection, producing tenderness and swelling at the inner corner of the eye, plus discharge and sometimes fever in the acute form. This is different from conjunctivitis, which involves the conjunctiva lining the eyeball and eyelids and presents with diffuse red eye and discharge rather than a focal lacrimal sac swelling. Blepharitis refers to inflammation of the eyelid margins, and a chalazion is a blocked meibomian gland on the eyelid that forms a lump.