Lacrimal Gland Disorders
Conditions affecting the tear-producing glands
Quick Facts
- Type: Eye / tear-gland disorders
- Location: Lacrimal glands above the outer eye
- Effects: Dry eyes, swelling, or excess tearing
- Causes: Inflammation, infection, autoimmune, tumors
Overview
The lacrimal glands are the tear-producing glands located in the upper, outer part of each eye socket. They make the watery part of tears that keep the surface of the eye moist, washed, and protected. Lacrimal gland disorders are a group of problems that affect these glands, and they can either reduce tear production, leading to dry eyes, or cause swelling and inflammation of the gland itself.
These disorders range from a brief infection or inflammation (called dacryoadenitis) to long-term autoimmune conditions and, less commonly, growths or tumors of the gland. Because the lacrimal gland sits within the eye socket, swelling can also affect the position and movement of the eye. The right treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on whether the gland is inflamed, infected, underactive, or enlarged.
- Swelling, redness, and tenderness in the upper, outer eyelid (often giving an S-shaped lid)
- Pain around the eye
- Dry, gritty, or irritated eyes if tear production is reduced
- Excessive watering in some inflammatory conditions
- A feeling of fullness or a lump near the outer corner of the eye
- Double vision or a bulging eye if a larger mass is present
Fever and feeling unwell may accompany an infection of the gland.
Causes
Lacrimal gland disorders have many possible causes, which is why diagnosis focuses on identifying the underlying problem.
- Infection (dacryoadenitis): Viral or bacterial infection of the gland, causing painful swelling
- Autoimmune and inflammatory disease: Conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome, sarcoidosis, and certain immune disorders that reduce tear production or inflame the gland
- Dry eye from gland dysfunction: Reduced or poor-quality tear output
- Tumors: Benign or, less often, cancerous growths of the gland
- Obstruction or scarring affecting how tears are released
Risk Factors
- Autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome or sarcoidosis
- Recent viral infections (for inflammatory dacryoadenitis)
- Older age (for dry eye and some tumors)
- A weakened immune system (for certain infections)
Diagnosis
Diagnosis combines examination, tear testing, and sometimes imaging:
- Eye examination: The clinician inspects the gland area and checks the eye surface for dryness.
- Tear tests: Measures of tear quantity and quality help identify reduced tear production.
- Imaging: CT or MRI scans show the size and nature of an enlarged gland or a possible mass.
- Blood tests: Look for autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.
- Biopsy: A tissue sample may be needed when a tumor or specific inflammatory disease is suspected.
Treatment
Treatment is directed at the specific cause.
- Infections: Viral inflammation often settles on its own with supportive care; bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics.
- Inflammatory and autoimmune disease: Anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating medicines, and treatment of the underlying condition.
- Dry eye: Artificial tears, prescription drops, and measures to conserve tears.
- Tumors: Surgery, sometimes with additional treatment, depending on whether the growth is benign or cancerous.
Because causes range from minor to serious, a specialist evaluation is important to guide the right approach.
Prevention
Most lacrimal gland disorders cannot be directly prevented, but managing underlying autoimmune conditions, treating eye infections promptly, and caring for dry eyes can reduce symptoms and complications. Regular eye care and reporting new swelling, pain, or vision changes early help ensure that any serious cause, such as a tumor, is identified and treated promptly.
When to See a Doctor
See an eye doctor for ongoing dry, gritty eyes that do not respond to artificial tears, or for swelling and tenderness near the outer corner of the eye. Seek prompt care if you have a painful, rapidly swelling eyelid with fever, a bulging eye, or double vision, which can signal a serious infection or a mass in the eye socket that needs urgent assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the lacrimal glands do?
They produce the watery part of tears that keeps the surface of the eye moist, clean, and protected. When these glands work poorly, the eyes become dry and irritated; when they are inflamed, the upper outer eyelid can swell.
What is dacryoadenitis?
It is inflammation of the lacrimal gland, often from a viral or bacterial infection. It causes a painful, swollen upper outer eyelid and is one of the more common lacrimal gland disorders, frequently settling with appropriate treatment.
Can lacrimal gland disorders cause dry eyes?
Yes. When the gland produces too few or poor-quality tears, the eye surface dries out, causing grittiness, irritation, and sometimes blurred vision. This can occur in autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome.
When is a swollen tear gland serious?
Most swelling comes from infection or inflammation and improves with treatment. However, a painless, slowly growing lump, a bulging eye, or double vision can signal a tumor and should be evaluated promptly with imaging and possibly a biopsy.
References
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Lacrimal Gland Disorders.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Tearing and dry eye.
- Mayo Clinic. Dry eyes.
- National Eye Institute (NEI). Dry Eye.