How does chronic dacryoadenitis typically present compared to acute dacryoadenitis?

Chronic dacryoadenitis typically presents with less severe symptoms compared to acute dacryoadenitis. In the chronic form, patients may experience mild discomfort and possibly ocular symptoms, but these are often less intense than those experienced during an acute episode. There is usually a gradual enlargement of the lacrimal gland that develops slowly over time, leading to a less dramatic presentation than in the acute form, where symptoms like pain, redness, and significant swelling tend to occur rapidly and intensely.

In chronic cases, the gland may enlarge without the accompanying severe pain and inflammation that characterize acute dacryoadenitis. This distinction is key in clinical assessment and helps guide further diagnosis and management of the condition, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the different presentations of dacryoadenitis.