Medical Term for Eye Drainage
The medical term for eye drainage is "epiphora," which specifically refers to the overflow of tears onto the face due to either excessive tear production or inadequate drainage through the nasolacrimal system. 1, 2
Definition and Pathophysiology
Epiphora occurs through two primary mechanisms 3:
- Hypersecretion pathway: Excessive lacrimal secretion, often as a reflex response to ocular surface disorders (sometimes called "wet dry eye")
- Obstructive pathway: Insufficient drainage of tears due to obstruction or stenosis of the nasolacrimal drainage system, including the puncti, canaliculi, lacrimal sac, or nasolacrimal duct 1, 3
Clinical Context
The term "epiphora" is distinct from other forms of ocular discharge 3:
- Epiphora specifically denotes clear tear overflow
- Other types of "eye drainage" may include purulent discharge (infection), mucoid discharge (conjunctivitis), or serous discharge (inflammation)
Age-Related Considerations
Symptomatic epiphora is predominantly present in elderly patients and represents an age-associated symptom 3. The condition can result from:
- Age-related changes of the ocular surface
- Eyelid malfunction (decreased tear transport)
- Mechanical stenosis of the efferent tear ducts 3
Common Pitfalls
When documenting or discussing "eye drainage," specify whether you mean 3:
- Epiphora (clear tear overflow)
- Mucopurulent discharge (infectious etiology)
- Mucoid discharge (inflammatory conditions)
This distinction is critical because epiphora requires evaluation of the lacrimal drainage system and potential surgical intervention, whereas infectious discharge requires antimicrobial therapy 4, 3.