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Lacrimal scintigraphy is an imaging test that shows how tears drain from your eye. A small amount of tracer is placed like an eye drop, and a camera tracks where it goes. It can help explain watery eyes when the cause is not obvious.
read more about lacrimal scintigraphy ...A clinician places a tiny drop on the eye surface, then images are taken over time while you blink normally. The tracer follows the same path tears take into the drainage system. The goal is to see whether drainage looks normal, slow, or blocked.
The results can suggest a blockage, a narrowing, or slow drainage without a clear blockage. It may also hint at a ?pump? issue, where blinking does not move tears as well. Your doctor may pair it with other tests to pinpoint the cause.
You'll usually sit still while images are taken at set intervals. The test is typically quick, but timing can vary depending on the protocol. Try not to rub your eyes during the exam.
The amount of tracer used is small, and the radiation exposure is generally low. The test shows tear flow patterns, but it may not explain every cause of tearing by itself. If you're pregnant or might be, tell your provider before the test.
It is usually not painful because it uses a drop on the eye surface rather than an injection. You may feel mild irritation, like with regular eye drops. Most people tolerate it well.
Many exams take around 15 to 30 minutes, but some protocols run longer. Imaging is done at intervals to track drainage over time. Your clinic can tell you the expected length for your visit.
The tracer amount is small and the radiation exposure is generally low. Still, it's important to tell your provider if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. They can help weigh risks and benefits for your situation.
Tear duct flushing checks whether fluid can pass through the drainage pathway with gentle pressure. Lacrimal scintigraphy tracks how tears flow naturally during blinking. Doctors may use both tests to understand the problem better.
Blocked Tear Duct. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17260-blocked-tear-duct-nasolacrimal-duct-obstruction. Updated January 19, 2024.
Watery eyes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/watery-eyes/basics/causes/sym-20050821. August 27, 2024.
Tear duct infection. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/tear-duct-infection-dacryocystitis-a-to-z. May 15, 2024.
How Tears Work. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/how-eyes-work/how-tears-work. Updated August 6, 2025.
Lacrimal Scintigraphy. Open Med Science. https://openmedscience.com/tag/lacrimal-scintigraphy/. n.d.