Clinico-demographic profile of patients with chronic dacryocystitis in a tertiary care centre of Bihar

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the demographic profile and clinical presentations of patients operated for chronic dacryocystitis in our tertiary care institution Materials and Method: This is a retrospective hospital-based study conducted with medical records of patients operated for chronic dacryocystitis and its complications during 2015-16, a period of two years. Results: Of the total 122 cases operated, an average of 61 cases per year, most (33%) were in the age group of 41 to 50 years followed by 21 to 30 years. The mean age of presentation was about 42 years. The condition was twice as common in females as in males, with both sides equally affected. Majority (56.6%) of patients were having symptoms for 3 to 4 years consisting of epiphora (100%), discharge (80.3%), secondary conjunctival inflammation (24.6%) and swelling (16%). Regurgitation of pus on pressing the lacrimal sac area (ROPLAS) was the most consistent sign present in 86.1% of cases. Mucocoele, pyocoele, lacrimal abscess and fistula formation were some of the complications. Discussion: Chronic dacryocystitis is a common cause of ocular morbidity in our region where majority of population has low socio-economic status, poor health awareness and ocular hygiene, and defers treatment with inadequate compliance to the same. The study confirms female preponderance of disease, occurring mostly in the fifth decade of life, with mostly unilateral affection and no side predilection. A lapse of 3-4 years before seeking treatment underlines the importance for imparting proper health education to the people of our state.