Clinical and Radiologic Lacrimal Testing in Patients with Epiphora

Dacryocystostenting: technical and long-term results

“…The patients, who were referred to us from the Ophthalmology Department, had been adequately informed about the features of the different types of procedures and had opted for minimally invasive dacryocystostenting in preference to dacryocystorhinostomy. Imaging of the lacrimal ducts prior to stent placement was carried out with digital subtraction dacryocystography in the two orthogonal projections to evaluate the morphological features of the stenosis/obstruction [20][21][22][23]. In all cases, the stricture was distal to the lacrimal sac (post-sac stenosis).…”

“…I pazienti, inviati dal reparto di oculistica, erano stati adeguatamente informati sulle caratteristiche dei vari tipi di intervento ed hanno preferito la procedura miniinvasiva del dacriocistostenting rispetto alla dacriocistorinostomia. Lo studio radiologico delle vie lacrimali preliminare all'impianto della protesi è stato effettuato mediante dacriocistografia digitale con sottrazione d'immagine, nelle due proiezioni ortogonali per valutare le caratteristiche morfologiche della steno-ostruzione [20][21][22][23]. In tutti i casi trattati la lesione appariva localizzata distalmente al sacco lacrimale (stenosi post saccale).…”

Assessment of functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction—a survey of ophthalmologists in the southwest

“…If the eye remains yellow and the tear meniscus is raised, it suggests that the tear drainage is abnormal. 9 The test is particularly helpful in unilateral epiphora as the normal side goes white while the abnormal one remains yellow. It is worth remembering that patency cannot be assumed if the dye is gone as there may be an element of washout.…”

Digital Subtraction Dacryocystography and Syringing in the Management of Epiphora

“…If an obstructive lesion is identified, it is important to define its site and extent. A number of clinical tests and radiological investigations are available for this purpose but there is no accepted "gold standard" for lacrimal drainage evaluation (Guzek et al, 1997;Hornblass & Ingris, 1979;Zappia & Milder, 1972a,b). The combinations that ophthalmologists use therefore vary considerably (Conway, 1994).…”

“…Syringing involves cannulation of the canalicular system and injection of saline through a syringe. Observation for the presence, location (upper or lower punctum) and content of any reflux along with a subjective appreciation of the resistance to flow can have a high degree of sensitivity in diagnosing an anatomical obstruction (Guzek et al, 1997).…”