In more complex cases, the vet may suggest a "nasolacrimal flush" under sedation. A small catheter is inserted into the punctum, and sterile saline is flushed through to see if the blockage can be cleared or to identify where the resistance occurs. Treatment Options Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause:
Think of the nasolacrimal duct as your cat’s internal drainage system. Normally, tears wash over the eye and drain through tiny holes (puncta) in the corner of the eye, down a narrow duct, and out through the nose. When that duct gets blocked, the tears have nowhere to go but over the eyelid and down the face—a symptom called epiphora . nasolacrimal duct obstruction cat
Surgery: For cats born with a membrane covering the puncta, a simple surgical snip can open the drainage path. However, for cats with severe scarring or "flat-face" anatomy, surgery is rarely successful and often carries a high risk of re-closure. In more complex cases, the vet may suggest