Introduction. After vision loss, tearing is the second most common complaint presented to ophthalmologists. Objective. The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of the modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of the lacrimal system based on an interdisciplinary approach. Material and methods. Using extensive clinical data (more than 5000 patients with complaints about tearing, and 1000 surgical interventions for dacryostenosis of different genesis and degree), as well as a review of the literature, the methods of diagnosis and surgical treatment of the disease in question were investigated. Results and discussion. The significance of all functional samples and instrumental methods used in the diagnosis of lachrimal abnormalities was assessed. With regard to the methods of radiation, ultrasound and optical diagnostics in dacryology, it is important to find the right combination of these methods, based on the medical history and preliminary examination of the patient. Incidents of pathologies of the nasal structures and post-traumatic deviations call for the use of computer tomography imaging. In addition to radiation-based diagnostic methods, dacryoendoscopic evaluations are now successfully applied. Conservative treatment of dacryosystitis is ineffective, especially when the expressed stagnation of the lacrimal sac contents has already led to overstretching of the sac and inflammatory changes to its walls. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) — an operation to form a bypass pathway of tear flow through the anastomosis between the cavities of the nose and lacrimal sac — is performed by both external and endonasal access. Each variant of DCR has a number of modifications whose effectiveness, according to the originators of these methods, is quite high (more than 90%). A separate nosological form that primarily affects newborns is dacryocystitis, which occurs due the presence of a mucosal gelatinous plug at the mouth of the nasolacrimal duct, blocking the tears. Conclusion. The main tasks of dacryo-surgery, in the case of lacrimal duct obstruction, are restoration of unimpeded passage of tears through the tear ducts from the eyes to the nose; and preventing a reoccurrence of obstruction in the post-operative period. Developing ways to solve these problems requires that dacryologists have knowledge of, and experience in, the related fields of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.