Stent

A stent is a silicone rubber tube that is often used with keyhole watery eye surgery. It is passed from the corner of the eye to be tied inside the nose at the end of surgery, and removed in the office around 6 weeks afterwards. It has an important role in keeping the upper part of the tear drain open (zone 1).

After keyhole watery eye surgery, patients often comment that the corner of the eye is irritated: this is likely due to the stent, and it is normal. Over time it settles, and disappears once stent is removed.

The stent does partially block the upper drain, so resolution of watering does not occur until after the stent is removed. Until then, make sure you rinse your nose to help reduce mucus building up on the stent, causing inflammation