Dacryoadenitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Dacryoadenitis?
An ophthalmologist, an eye doctor who treats eye diseases, usually treats dacryoadenitis. Some cases need other specialists, such as a rheumatologist, a doctor who treats autoimmune diseases, when the cause is a disease elsewhere in the body. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is dacryoadenitis?
Dacryoadenitis is inflammation, or swelling and irritation, of the tear-producing gland. This gland is called the lacrimal gland. Another name for the condition is tear gland inflammation.
Acute dacryoadenitis starts suddenly. It is most commonly due to a viral or bacterial infection. Chronic dacryoadenitis lasts longer. It is most often due to noninfectious inflammatory disorders.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Swelling of the outer part of the upper eyelid, with possible redness and tenderness.
- Pain in the area of swelling.
- Pain when you move the eye.
- Excess tearing or discharge.
- Swelling of lymph nodes in front of the ear.
- A droopy upper eyelid, redness of the eye, and sometimes double vision.
- Fever and a general ill feeling may be present.
In one type, called idiopathic dacryoadenitis, the cause is not known. Most people with it have pain, eyelid redness, and dry eye. Swelling can be severe enough to put pressure on the eye and distort vision.
Causes and who gets it
Common causes of acute dacryoadenitis include mumps, Epstein-Barr virus, staphylococcus, and gonococcus. The most common infectious cause is a virus, specifically Epstein-Barr virus. Bacterial causes include Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus.
Chronic dacryoadenitis can come from sarcoidosis, thyroid eye disease, or orbital pseudotumor. Sjögren's syndrome and IgG4-related disease are also linked to dacryoadenitis. Doctors also consider tumors such as lymphoma. Idiopathic dacryoadenitis is the most common cause overall.
Risk factors include contact with viral or bacterial germs. Having an autoimmune disorder is another. In these disorders, the body attacks its own tissue.
How doctors diagnose it
An exam of the eyes and lids can diagnose dacryoadenitis. A CT scan may be needed to look for the cause. An MRI of the eye sockets may be used in children. It may also be used in adults whose symptoms last or return.
If sarcoidosis is suspected, a chest x-ray is a reasonable screening tool. There are no lab tests made for dacryoadenitis. Blood tests, such as a complete blood count, may be useful. Sometimes a biopsy is needed. This removes a small piece of tissue to study. It makes sure no tumor of the lacrimal gland is present.
Treatment
If the cause is a viral illness such as mumps, rest and warm compresses may be enough. In other cases, treatment depends on the disease that caused it.
- Bacterial dacryoadenitis needs antibiotics. They are given by vein or by mouth, depending on how severe it is.
- An abscess, a pocket of pus, should be drained.
- Oral corticosteroids may be considered, especially for idiopathic dacryoadenitis. Doctors avoid corticosteroids before a biopsy.
- Cases that do not respond may need radiation to the eye socket. They may also need medicine that works throughout the body.
A biopsy is usually kept for severe or repeat cases, or when the cause is in question.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider if swelling or pain increase despite treatment. Close follow-up is needed if you have pain with eye movements or abnormal color vision.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have a sudden change in vision. Also go if your eyelid is swollen and you have a high fever, a bulging eye, or double vision. These can be signs of orbital cellulitis, a dangerous infection around the eye.
Swelling may be severe enough to put pressure on the eye and distort vision.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can examine the swelling, arrange tests, and refer you to an eye doctor. They can also help follow long-term conditions, such as sarcoidosis, that can cause chronic dacryoadenitis.
Common questions
Is dacryoadenitis serious?
It can be, but most people fully recover. The outlook for more serious causes, such as sarcoidosis, depends on the disease that caused it.
Can dacryoadenitis be prevented?
Sometimes. Mumps can be prevented by getting vaccinated. You can avoid infection with gonococcus, the bacteria that cause gonorrhea, by using safe sex practices. Most other causes cannot be prevented.
Is dacryoadenitis caused by an infection?
Often, when it starts suddenly. Acute dacryoadenitis is most commonly due to viral or bacterial infection. Chronic dacryoadenitis is most often due to noninfectious inflammatory disorders.
Can a tear gland tumor look like dacryoadenitis?
Yes. Some people first thought to have dacryoadenitis may turn out to have cancer of the lacrimal gland. This is why a biopsy is sometimes needed.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Dacryoadenitis
- American Academy of Ophthalmology - EyeWiki - Dacryoadenitis
- MedlinePlus - Orbital cellulitis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
