Five ways to cope with canalicular stenosis
If you received the drug Taxotere (docetaxel) as part of your cancer treatment, you may have experienced excessive watering in your eyes. Excessive tear production, or epiphora, can result from various medical conditions, including canalicular stenosis.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, canalicular stenosis, also called canalicular obstruction, is a narrowing or blockage that affects the nasolacrimal system. This includes the tear ducts and the surrounding tissue, and the canaliculi are the small channels located in the inner corners of your eyes that drain fluid into the connected tear sac. The punctum is the opening of your tear ducts, and conditions that affect the punctum often affect the canaliculi and vice versa.
People who suffer from canalicular stenosis experience excessive tears and watering in their eyes because their tears do not drain as normal. Furthermore, most patients experience tenderness in the eye along with redness and even a discharge apart from tear production. The condition can create a reduced quality of life due to the discomfort and constant inconvenience of excessive eye fluid. Patients may also undergo various medical procedures to open the narrow passages or remove the blockage, including surgery.
Extensive medical research has linked the onset of canalicular stenosis to the use of Taxotere (docetaxel) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and other forms of the disease. If you suffer from excessively watery eyes and have been diagnosed with canalicular stenosis, and you feel your condition arose as a result of your cancer treatment, you can contact the Taxotere lawsuit attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC to speak with us about your situation.
We are one of the nation’s leading law firms for Taxotere lawsuits and other lawsuits arising from dangerous and defective pharmaceuticals and medications. You can reach us by phone at (800) 763-6155 or fill out an online case evaluation to schedule a consultation.
Coping with Canalicular Stenosis
As if you didn’t already have enough on your plate, now you have to deal with the constant eye watering and tears always running down your face. You also have redness and swelling in your eyes, especially in the inside corners, which causes a great deal of discomfort. Your condition is also affecting your vision due to the excessive build-up of fluid no matter how often you pat your eyes with a tissue.
After diagnosing you with canalicular stenosis, your physician also suggested and implemented a course of action to treat and manage the condition. The goal of any treatment is to relieve your symptoms and remove the cause of the drainage problem, and the following are methods you can use to help get some relief:
- Prescription eye drops – Using steroid and/or antibiotic eye drops can help alleviate the inflammation that is causing the obstruction and open the passage. Your doctor probably prescribed one for you when they diagnosed you with canalicular stenosis.
- Pain-relieving eye drops -You may also use an eye drop with a mild analgesic to help reduce pain and irritation. Your doctor can prescribe one, or you can get a bottle over the counter.
- Warm compress – Using a warm compress over your eyes can help relieve your discomfort and cut down on swelling.
- Gentle massage – You can gently massage the area around the inside corners of your eyes to help release any blockages and open the ducts.
- Give your eyes a break – If your eyes are bothering you, take a break from watching TV or using your phone or computer since the glare can aggravate your symptoms. You may also want to put down that book or magazine and just rest your eyes for a while.
Although not a coping method, surgery may be the only, or most effective, treatment option available. You may have to undergo surgery to open the blocked duct and facilitate drainage, and your physician will prescribe the necessary medication and follow-up procedures.
Although uncomfortable and unpleasant, canalicular stenosis is not life-threatening. Of course, if the condition is adversely affecting your life, you need to go to your doctor and follow any prescribed medical treatment, first and foremost, but you can also manage the symptoms at home.
Contact a Taxotere Lawsuit Attorney
When you went to the doctor, they took your symptoms into account and diagnosed canalicular stenosis through a variety of procedures and tests. If they found no other apparent reasons for your having developed canalicular stenosis, there is a strong indication that the condition arose from your cancer treatment.
The cancer medication Taxotere (docetaxel) and many other medications have been linked to causing this condition. Here at Hotze Runkle PLLC, we have recovered more than 100 million dollars in compensation for clients across the country adversely affected by Taxotere and other dangerous medications. Contact us as soon as possible at (800) 763-6155 or fill out an online case evaluation to schedule an appointment to speak with us about your suffering.