What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Chronic Inflammation of the Lacrimal Gland
• Chronic Lacrimal Gland Inflammation

What is Chronic Dacryoadenitis? (Definition/Background Information)

• Dacryoadenitis is a rare condition that is characterized by the inflammation of the lacrimal gland which is located near the eye. The lacrimal gland is responsible for producing tears. Dacryoadenitis can be acute or chronic
• Chronic Dacryoadenitis is caused by inflammatory or autoimmune disorders. It is less severe and results in less painful swelling of the eyelids. It may take months and years to develop. It is more common than Acute Dacryoadenitis
• The condition can affect individuals of any age. The risk factors for developing Chronic Dacryoadenitis include the presence of noninfectious inflammatory disorders such as sarcoidosis, Wegener’s granulomatosis, or Sjögren’s syndrome
• A healthcare professional may use a physical exam, previous medical history, blood tests and imaging studies order to diagnose the condition. The diagnosis of Chronic Dacryoadenitis will also involve an eye exam by an eye specialist
• If adequate treatment of Chronic Dacryoadenitis is provided, such as treating the underlying disorder, the prognosis is generally good. The prognosis also depends on the severity of the underlying inflammatory disorder and its response to treatment

Who gets Chronic Dacryoadenitis? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Individuals of different ages and genders can be affected by Dacryoadenitis
• The condition can be observed in any race or ethnicity with no preference being observed

What are the Risk Factors for Chronic Dacryoadenitis? (Predisposing Factors)

• The key risk factor for Chronic Dacryoadenitis is the presence of certain autoimmune and inflammatory disorders

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Chronic Dacryoadenitis? (Etiology)

Chronic Dacryoadenitis can develop due to inflammatory disorders that are not related to infections and may include:

• Sarcoidosis: Abnormal inflammation affecting various parts of the body
• Graves disease: Autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland
• Orbital inflammatory syndrome or orbital pseudotumor: It gives rise to a mass in the eye orbit
• Wegener’s granulomatosis: It is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting small blood vessels, kidneys, and lungs caused by abnormal inflammation of tissues
• Sjögren’s syndrome: An autoimmune disorder affecting the joints, eyes, and mouth
• Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Mikulicz disease: It is a benign inflammatory disorder wherein inflammation of the parotid gland, sub-mandibular gland, and lacrimal gland may occur

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Dacryoadenitis?

The signs and symptoms of Chronic Dacryoadenitis may include:

• Mild presentation of swelling
• Absence of pain
• Minimal inflammation of the eyelids, in comparison to Acute Dacryoadenitis
• Dry eyes that varies in severity from one individual to another
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Foreign body sensation in the eye
• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck region
• The condition can be unilateral or bilateral, meaning that either one eye or both the eyes may be affected

How is Chronic Dacryoadenitis Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Chronic Dacryoadenitis may include the following tests and procedures:

• Thorough analysis of one’s medical history; information about travel and immunization history is also important
• Complete physical examination including examination of the eye and eyelid
• Symptom assessment: Generally, slowly developing signs and symptoms indicate a chronic condition
• Blood tests to rule out an infectious cause of Dacryoadenitis
• Smear and culture of any discharge (from the eye)
• CT scan and MRI scan of the orbit
• Diagnosis of disorders causing the condition may also involve:
  • For sarcoidosis: Chest X-ray and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) blood test may be helpful
  • For Wegener’s granulomatosis, analyzing c-ANCA blood test levels are helpful
  • For Graves disease: Special blood tests and a thyroid biopsy
  • For Sjögren’s syndrome: Blood test to identify specific antibodies
  • For ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease: Specialized blood tests, colonoscopy, and a colon biopsy
• Biopsy of the inflamed lacrimal gland tissue: A tissue biopsy of the nodule is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination. A pathologist examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis

Note: Rarely, slow-growing tumors of the lacrimal gland may resemble Chronic Dacryoadenitis. A tissue biopsy is helpful in such cases.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Chronic Dacryoadenitis?

The complications of Chronic Dacryoadenitis could include:

• Distortion of vision due to pressure from the swollen eye
• Recurrence of Dacryoadenitis following treatment
• Complications that arise from the underlying inflammatory disorder

How is Chronic Dacryoadenitis Treated?

The treatment measures for Chronic Dacryoadenitis may include:

• Treating the underlying condition/disorder is important. The treatment is usually given to control the degree of inflammation
• Steroid therapy for autoimmune disorders
• Treatment of symptoms: Analgesics for pain, antipyretics for fever, etc.
• Surgical excision and removal of any tumor, if it is the cause of Dacryoadenitis

How can Chronic Dacryoadenitis be Prevented?

It may not be possible to prevent Chronic Dacryoadenitis; however, the following measures may be considered to lower the risks:

• Undertaking early treatment of any underlying autoimmune or inflammatory disorder
• The severity of certain disorders are aggravated by smoking, alcohol consumption, and through exposure to toxic fumes and smoke; these may be completely avoided

What is the Prognosis of Chronic Dacryoadenitis? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• Chronic Dacryoadenitis caused by inflammatory disorders may have a good prognosis, but it is dependent on the severity of the underlying condition
• Regular monitor and long-term follow-up of the underlying disorders can help in early treatment

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Chronic Dacryoadenitis:

Please visit our Eye & Vision Health Center for more physician-approved health information:

http://www.dovemed.com/health-topics/vision-center/