Background: Epiphora is defined as watering of the eye due to imperfect drainage of tears through lacrimal passages. It may result from a wide variety of causes, the commonest cause is nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), which may be congenital or acquired. AcquiredNLDO may be primary or secondary.Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is an operation that creates a lacrimal drainage pathway into the nasal cavity to facilitate drainage of the previously obstructed excreting system. Aim of the work:The aim of this study is to compare endoscopic DCR and balloon catheter dilation in treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Patients and methods; A Prospective randomized comparative Study was conducted on 30 patients .15 cases underwent endoscopic DCR while the other cases underwent balloon catheter dilation. Data were analyzed and compared using Z, Chi-square and Fisher exact test. Results: The balloon catheter dilatation is a safe and minimally invasive technique but the endoscopic DCR has a high success rate. Conclusion: The two techniques are acceptable alternatives. The choice of surgery should depend upon patient's preference and availability of resources.

No abstract