Abstract
Purpose: :
To identify etiological causes of epiphora related to lacrimal punctum dysfunction in patients with acquired epiphora and its primary management
Methods: :
All that presented to our clinic patients with acquired epiphora were prospectively examined during a 6 month period. Punctum stenosis, eyelid or punctum ectropion, chronic blepharitis and other associated findings from ophthalmic examination were recorded. Medical or surgical treatment or surgical was performed in each case according to findings.
Results: :
Twenty patients (90 % female and 20% male patients) with a mean 61 years old(range 30-80 years old) were studied. Women aged 71 years old or more was the most affected group. Chronic blepharitis was found in 65%, followed by ectropion in 63.7% patients, punctual stenosis in 53.7% patients, and dry eye in 50%. Was performed punctual dilation as initial procedure in patients with punctual stenosis and epiphora. Blepharitis and dry eye was treated with aminoglycoside antibiotic ointment and artificial tears. The mean follow-up was 6.3 weeks (range 2-16 weeks). All patients improved in their symptoms. Two rectangular punctoplasty surgeries were needed due a recurrent epithelization of the punctum. None required major lacrimal surgery to relieve their symptoms.
Conclusions: :
punctum dysfunction can be caused by several factors. Chronic blefaritis, associated to punctum stenosis and ectropion were the common causes in this series. These factors should be modified to improve symptoms prior to performing major lacrimal surgery.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • detection