Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ Key Features ++ Caused by nasolacrimal obstruction Acute and chronic dacryocystitis are typically caused by bacteria that colonize the upper respiratory tract, such as Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus viridans Moraxella catarrhalis Haemophilus species +++ Clinical Findings ++ Acute dacryocystitis Presents with inflammation, swelling, tenderness, and pain over the lacrimal sac (located inferior to the medial canthal tendon) Fever may be present Purulent discharge and tearing Chronic dacryocystitis Mucopurulent debris on the lids and lashes Tearing Infection of the palpebral conjunctiva Reflux of pus at the puncta when pressure is applied over the sac +++ Diagnosis ++ Clinical +++ Treatment ++ Severe acute dacryocystitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics after attempts at identifying the offending organism by culture and staining Oral antibiotics can be tried in milder cases Topical antibiotic administration is adjunctive and is also used with recurrent chronic infections Warm compresses are beneficial After the acute episode subsides—and in chronic cases—the nasolacrimal obstruction must be relieved surgically Your MyAccess profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth