Efficacy of probing as treatment of epiphora in adults with blocked nasolacrimal ducts

Abstract

Aims-To determine the eYcacy of probing in the initial treatment of epiphora and the symptom free period in adults with blocked nasolacrimal ducts. Methods-The results of probing in 85 eyes with epiphora due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction were studied retrospectively after a mean follow up of 7.4 months (SD 11.6) by a questionnaire and interview survey of patients. Results-35% of the eyes had an outcome of no watering after probing, 17% mild watering, 35% moderate watering, and 11% severe watering. The patients' satisfaction (watering subjectively improved) after undergoing this procedure was 82%, which is higher than previously reported. The mean symptom free period in eyes with no watering was 11.25 months, in eyes with mild watering 8.20 months, in eyes with moderate watering 5.35 months, and in eyes with severe watering 0.95 months. There was a significant diVerence (p=0.001) in the symptom free period between the no watering and severe watering groups. Conclusions-Probing in adults with confirmed nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be recommended as an initial treatment procedure because of its relatively good eYcacy and high patient satisfaction without compromising subsequent surgical treatment if unsuccessful. (Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:389-391)

Pattern and outcome of surgical management of nasolachrymal duct obstruction in children: A five year review

“…[12] Probing is an initial procedure without compromising subsequent surgical treatment if unsuccessful. [13,14] Probing may be associated with false passage formation, traumatic stenosis, and failure. Patients with posttraumatic obstruction are more likely to have fibrous tissue reaction resulting in further obstruction and are unsuitable for probing.…”

Anatomic landmarks in lacrimal surgery from an ophthalmologist's point of view: Clinical findings of external dacryocystorhinostomy and dacryoendoscopy

“…In cases of intralacrimal concretions, patients remain asymptomatic for a long time (Heichel et al, ). In early stages, chronic dacryocystitis can be treated conservatively or with minimally‐invasive techniques (Bell, ; Guinot‐Saera and Koay, ). Later stages of the disease are characterized by a long stenosis and lacrimal sac ectasia but also fibrotic shrinking of the lacrimal mucosa.…”

A novel procedure for treating canalicular obstruction by re-canaliculisation and bicanalicular intubation

“…It restores normal anatomical structure and physiological function of the lacrimal drainage system rather than creating a bypassing lacrimal drainage passage. CDCR and DCR with retrograde intubation are more invasive and have a greater risk of complications associated with DCR including intraoperative haemorrhage, trauma, loss of nasal mucosa and scar 13 19. These surgical procedures are difficult to perform 8.…”