Tear Duct Surgery

Epiphora is an overflow of tears, usually caused by poor drainage of the tears from the eye into the nose. The most common cause is an obstruction of the nasolacrimal (tear) ducts, but the condition may also result from excess tear production, such as that which occurs in dry or windy conditions.

Other causes of excess tearing may be corneal disorders, lower eyelid looseness, weakness of facial muscles as the result of a stroke, and eyelashes rubbing on the cornea.

When the nasolacrimal duct is substantially or completely blocked, and causing symptomatic tearing, surgical treatment can be very effective. In partial blockage cases, the native nasolacrimal system can be stretched using silicone tubing. This can be done as an outpatient under mild sedation and local anesthesia.

In cases of complete (or near-complete) blockage, a new tear duct drainage system must be created.  This procedure is called a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), and is also performed as an outpatient. During the DCR procedure, the obstruction in the duct is bypassed by creating a new passage directly into the nose. A temporary tube is then left in place to keep the new passage from scarring and closing.

Patient Reviews

Dr. Becker literally stopped me from crying. I had a blocked tear duct and narrowed my choices down to Dr. Becker and Dr. Christopher Zoumalan. Dr. Becker’s schedule wasn’t available sooner so I saw Dr. Zoumalan first. I was still counting on Dr. Becker to perform the less invasive balloon dacryoplasty as HE INVENTED the procedure but saw Dr. Zoumalan anyway to see who made me more comfortable. When I saw Dr. Zoumalan he actually referred me to Dr. Becker as apparently everyone in LA knows he’s the go-to-guy for blocked tear ducts. It’s been 9 months and I tear free without having a DCR done.

I can’t thank Dr. Becker enough as it’s pretty embarrassing as a man to be wiping tears from your eyes every 5-10 minutes. If you have a blocked tear duct see Dr. Becker. You won’t regret it!

- Ken L.
I had a very serious injury to the left side of my face an I never thought I would ever look the same again. Dr. Becker fixed everything almost like nothing happen. He is very good at what he does.

Very kind an truly cares about his patients. He definitely has a gift from God. An I’m so grateful I was referred to him an so very thankful for all that he is an all that he did for me.
- Mary P.
Dr. Becker exceeds above and beyond! A 5-star doctor I would recommend to family and friends because he truly is a specialist in ophthalmology and in cosmetic surgery. I learned that he teaches one day out of the week to residents at UCLA, which explains why he is so patient and didn’t mind explaining the procedure with me. I was quite nervous but he really calmed my nerves about Juvederm, because I was afraid to not look natural after the injections.

I have to say I LOVE MY RESULTS! my parentheses lines along the sides of my nose and mouth where so defined but now I feel like I’m in my early 20’s again ? He has become me to go the doctor to help retain my youth appearance.

- Janet T.

Office Information

Office Locations

Encino

5363 Balboa Blvd Suite 246
Encino, CA 91316

Westlake Village

2659 Townsgate Rd Suite 215
Westlake Village, CA 91361
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