Is tearing and nasal congestion a "must-have" after COVID-19? Beware of dacryocystitis

Hubei Daily News (Reporter Yu Jinyi, Correspondents Liu Huan and Shu Xiang) Children are prone to nasal obstruction and tearing after being infected with the new coronavirus. In severe cases, purulent secretions will overflow from the eyes. Many parents mistakenly believe that this is a "necessary stage" after the new coronavirus infection, but did not expect it to be dacryocystitis.

One and a half year old Pipi (pseudonym) from Huangshi, recently developed symptoms such as nasal congestion, fever, and tearing after being infected with the new coronavirus. His parents heard that this was the "third stage" of the new coronavirus and did not take timely intervention measures. A week later, not only did Pipi's tearing symptoms not ease, but his left eye also began to overflow with purulent secretions, and the corners of his eyes were always sticky. Pipi's parents were worried that their child would not be able to recover on his own, so they went to the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University for treatment.

Upon examination, it was found that part of the water in Pipi's left tear duct was flushed upward, and part of it was swallowed. When Xie Yangyang, a specialist in tear duct/eye and nose, flushed Pipi's tear duct, he found that her nasolacrimal duct was relatively narrow and there was purulent secretion flowing out, so he was diagnosed with left dacryocystitis and left nasolacrimal duct stenosis. Xie Yangyang recommended conservative treatment for Pipi, by flushing the tear duct and taking local anti-inflammatory drugs on the tear duct. After a few days, Pipi's tearing symptoms were significantly improved, and the purulent secretions gradually decreased.

Dacryocystitis is a common ophthalmic disease, mostly caused by blocked tear ducts. Patients are prone to symptoms such as red eyes, tearing, and purulent secretions. Xie Yangyang introduced that the focus of dacryocystitis treatment is to control infection and reopen blocked tear ducts. After active treatment, the prognosis is generally good.

Zhang Jiang, director of the tear duct/eye and nose related department, reminded that after being infected with the new coronavirus, we should pay attention to symptoms such as nasal congestion and tearing. If long-term runny nose causes tear duct blockage, it may induce tear duct diseases.