Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (say "kun-junk-tih-voe-dak-ree-oh-sis-tuh-rye-NAWS-tuh-mee), or CDCR, is often used to treat blocked tear ducts. This problem can be caused by trauma, failed surgery, or disease. CDCR is also called Jones tube surgery.

When you cry, your eyes usually make extra tears that go through the tear ducts and come out through the nose. (That's why your nose runs when you cry.) But blocked tear ducts can prevent these extra tears from draining normally. This can cause severe, ongoing tearing known as epiphora.

With CDCR, a surgeon places a tube to drain these tears instead of relying on the tear ducts to drain them. CDCR fixes epiphora in about 9 out of 10 people.

Typically, CDCR is used when other treatments—like putting in a stent or using a tool to push through the blockage—have not worked. CDCR may be especially useful for blocked lower tear ducts.

The surgeon places a glass tube between the inner corner of the eye and the nasal cavity (the air-filled space above and behind the nose).

There are two types of CDCR. How the surgeon gets into the nasal cavity to operate and how long the surgery takes depend on which type they use. Before the surgery, the surgeon works with the patient to figure out which type is right for them.

• External procedure: The doctor makes a small cut (incision) in the skin near the inner corner of the eye to operate. The procedure takes from 45 to 75 minutes.
• Endoscopic endonasal procedure: The doctor goes in through the nostril to operate. The procedure takes from 20 to 30 minutes.

Most people can return home the day of the surgery. For 1 week after surgery, you can't blow your nose. Blowing your nose could cause bleeding inside the nose. For 3 to 6 months after surgery, you need to place a finger over the tube when you sneeze, blow your nose, or cough. This keeps the tube from moving out of place.

You likely will have follow-up visits after 1 week, 6 weeks, and 3 to 6 months. During these visits, the care team will check that the tube is working as it should.

The most common problem after this surgery is that the tube moves or gets pushed out. If this happens, you likely will have a follow-up surgery to replace the tube or move it back to the right spot. This is known as a revision surgery. There are newer types of tubes that have a lower risk of these problems.