Can I Get Botox and Fillers at the Same Time?
Both Botox® and dermal fillers are popular treatments for anyone who wants to diminish wrinkles and restore volume lost due to aging. But can you have both treatments at the same time? Here’s the answer.
Understanding Lacrimal System Disorders
When most of us think of tears, we think of crying over something sad or, sometimes, something really happy. But our tears do a lot more than show our emotions. They also play a critical role in keeping our eyes healthy.
When something goes wrong with the way your tears are produced or drained, it can have serious consequences for your vision.
Rostami Oculo-Facial Plastic Consultants is a leading provider of state-of-the art treatments for disorders of the lacrimal system, the system responsible for tear production and drainage. Knowing the symptoms of lacrimal system disorders is the first step toward making sure those problems are treated early, before serious problems develop.
Here’s how our practice treats tear-related problems at our Reston, Virginia, practice.
How the lacrimal system works
The main purposes of the lacrimal system are to produce tears, distribute them to the eye’s surface, and then drain the tears away, along with any debris from the surface of the eye. Tears help keep your eyes clean and free of germs and tiny particles that could irritate the eye or cause infections or disease.
The lacrimal system produces different types of tears at different times:
- “Psychic” tears are produced when we cry as a result of an emotional stimulus
- Reflex tears form when your eyes are irritated by debris
- Basal tears are produced all the time for continual moisture and protection
The lacrimal system is made up of several structures:
- The lacrimal gland, which produces tears and releases them through lacrimal ducts
- Puncta and canals, openings and tubes that allow tears to drain
- The lacrimal sac, a small reservoir for drained tears
- The nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears from the sac into the nose
Tears produced by the lacrimal gland are released into the eye through several tiny openings (ducts). After washing over the surface of the eye, the tear fluid drains through openings at the inner “corner” of the eye, openings called puncta.
Tear fluid drains through tiny canals into the lacrimal sac before exiting into the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. (This drainage is one reason why a runny nose often accompanies excess tears.)
Common lacrimal system problems
Lacrimal system disorders can involve any part of the system — the glands, ducts, or drains — and the symptoms you experience can vary based on which part is affected. Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Itchy or burning eyes
- Gritty sensations in the eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Excessive tearing
- Mucus discharge
- Red eyes
- Swelling and tenderness above the eye
Lacrimal gland infection
If the lacrimal gland is infected, you might not produce as many tears as normal, or the tear film may be unusually thick. Lacrimal gland infection is often associated with pain or discomfort near the gland, mucousy discharge, and sometimes swelling of the upper lid.
Blocked drainage
Sometimes, an infection or other problem affects the openings and canals where the tears drain. When drainage is blocked, bacteria can wind up growing inside the canals, the lacrimal sac, or the nasolacrimal duct.
These infections require prompt treatment to prevent them from spreading and causing more serious problems.
Dry eyes
Dry eye syndrome is probably the most common lacrimal system problem, affecting about 5 million people in the United States. Most dry eye problems are chronic, meaning you need ongoing treatment to manage the symptoms effectively.
Dry eye tends to become more common with age, but it can also occur when a problem affects the lacrimal gland or ducts.
Some types of dry eye syndrome can be diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam combined with an analysis of your tear film. But many times, a more in-depth exam is required to evaluate the components of the lacrimal system.
Healthy eyes, healthy vision
Most of us take our eyes for granted — until something goes wrong. If you’re having any type of unusual symptom with your eyes or your vision, don’t put off scheduling an exam. Early diagnosis means you can start treatment sooner, so you can feel better and prevent more serious problems.
To schedule your evaluation, call Rostami Oculo-Facial Plastic Consultants at 571-252-3697 or use our online form to book your appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
My Drooping Eyelids Are Affecting My Vision: Can You Help?
Drooping eyelids don’t just make you look tired and sleepy. When they droop too far, they can block your vision, too. Fortunately, there are solutions that can help. Learn what we can do to lift your lids so you can see more clearly.
Can Liposuction Cause Sagging Skin?
Liposuction helps eliminate stubborn areas of fatty tissue so you can enjoy sleeker, slimmer, sexier contours. Once that fatty tissue is gone, though, there’s a chance your skin might not bounce back right away. Here's how we can help.
3 Reasons to Combine a Facelift and Neck Lift
Facelift and neck lift surgeries help reduce wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin, so you can look and feel more youthful and confident. You can have either procedure on its own, of course, but combining the two offers some important benefits.
Botox vs. Dysport: What's the Difference?
Both Botox® and Dysport® can smooth wrinkles and help you look younger. But how can you decide which option is better for your goals? Here’s how these two injectable treatments compare.
Should I Get a Brow Lift or Eyelid Surgery?
Your eyes are one of the first features people notice, so when they start to show signs of aging, so does your entire appearance. Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery can help. Here’s how to decide which one is right for you.