Jones tubes

What does it involve?

This is a surgical procedure that involves replacing the tear duct with an artificial drainage tube. This creates a channel between the surface of the eye and the nasal cavity through which tears can drain.

When is it carried out?

• In patients with tear duct obstruction that cannot be fixed with dacryocystorhinostomy.

Prior examinations

• A full ophthalmological examination and eyelid and periocular examination.
• Irrigation of the tear duct in the doctor's surgery. This consists of syringing a saline solution at high pressure through the tear ducts to locate the blockage.
• Sometimes a dacryocystogram is necessary, i.e. a test to check tear duct function.

During the operation

• The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and sedation on an outpatient basis.
• The surgeon creates a channel between the surface of the eye and the nasal cavity through a small hole in the nasal bone, which holds the Jones tube in place.

After the operation

• The patient's eye is occluded for 24 hours, after which the surgeon examines the patient.
• The patient must take antibiotics and oral and topical anti-inflammatory drugs.
• The surgeon examines the patient again after two weeks to assess and monitor the healing process and check that the Jones tube is working correctly.
• The final results are noticeable within a month and a half of surgery.