DCR

• The procedure to operate on a person's tear duct is called a dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR. This operation involves opening a small hole between the tear sac and the inside of the nose. If the tear duct is only partially blocked, then the doctor may attempt to clear it by running water to clear the blockage. If the duct is completely blocked, however, the canaliculi (tubes that drain tears to the lacrimal sac) may have to be reconstructed to restore proper tear flow.
  
  

Scarring

• One of the biggest risks with tear duct surgery is unsatisfactory skin scarring. While noninvasive measures may help, and proper medication can be given, patients who undergo this type of surgery may still have unseemly scars on the nose and near the eyes.
  
  

Bleeding

• Another complication of tear duct surgery is constant or severe nosebleeds. While this may not be directly related to the surgical procedure, a person who experiences nasal bleeding after tear duct surgery should check with his surgeon and a specialist in nasal disorders and conditions to find out what is causing the bleeding.
  
  

Infection

• Even though a DCR may be completely sterile, any time a person undergoes surgery she is opening up her body to the risk of infection. Even if the doctor prescribes medication for the patient, infection in the nose and tear duct can still result. This may lead to follow-up surgery to make certain that the tear duct isn't further damaged, and to ensure that the patient doesn't develop a more serious condition.
  
  

Excessive Tearing

• Even though a DCR is meant to stop excessive tearing in a patient's eyes, the original problem persists or recurs in 10 percent to 20 percent of people who undergo the procedure. This can be due to a number of factors, such as the tear duct being scarred over and blocked, or poor eye pumping. Many times, these difficulties can be managed with follow-up procedures.