Dacrocystogram at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

What is a dacrocystogram?

Your ophthalmologist has sent you for a test to find out why your tear duct is blocked or narrowed. This causes your tears to overflow. A dacrocystogram is a special X-ray procedure to look at the tear ducts in your eyes. X-ray contrast is then injected that will reveal the tear duct.

Risk and benefits 

You will benefit from this procedure because it will help your doctor investigate your symptoms and possibly treat them. It is a very safe and quick procedure. No hospital admission is required.

There is a small risk of introducing an infection into the eye/eyes. We will discuss the risks and benefits with you in detail before your procedure.

What happens on the day of my procedure?

Please take all your usual medication. If you use inhalers or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray, bring them with you. 

Please come to the X-ray reception (1st Floor, Lift Bank D) at least 20 minutes before your appointment time. If you are late, it may not be possible to carry out your procedure and it will have to be rebooked.

If you are a private patient, please come even earlier and go to the private patients cashier (4th Floor, Lift Bank D) first, and bring the receipt with you to X-ray.  

What happens before the procedure? 

There is no special preparation required for this procedure.

During the procedure 

You will be taken into the X-ray room where the examination will be explained to you. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have.

In the X-ray room you will lie on a special X-ray table. Your eyes will be cleaned with salty water and a very small tube will be placed in your tear duct. This is in the inner corner of your eye, near your nose. Through this small tube, X-ray dye will be injected and pictures will be taken. 

This procedure may be uncomfortable, but should not hurt. It usually takes 30 minutes but may take longer.

After the procedure

Your doctor will explain the results of the test with you. You may go home after the procedure has been completed. Make sure you have a follow-up appointment with your ophthalmologist who sent you for this procedure.

If you get sore, itchy or weeping eyes please see your GP. If urgent after hours, please go to your nearest A&E.

Contact information

Interventional Radiology Department
Imaging Department
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH 

T: 020 3315 8570/8582