An observational study on nasolacrimal duct probing in catarrhal stage of chronic dacrocystitis in Indian population

A F Tasneem,Neha Nargis,Singri Niharika Prasad,I Vittal Nayak,Sampoorna H Rao

doi:10.18231/j.ijooo.2020.044

Abstract

To estimate the efficacy of probing as a treatment option in earliest cases(early catarrhal stage) of epiphora with no discharge due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction.An observational clinical study was performed on 25 patients with earliest cases of epiphora with no discharge. Under aseptic precautions along with adequate topical and nasal anaesthesia probing was performed in both upper and lower canaliculi, it was considered successful when epiphora was reduced to a considerable level or had resolved with patent lacrimal system for atleast 6 months after syringing.14 women and 11 men with age group of 18 to 45 years with complains of epiphora for about 1 year were included in our study. 23 patients had nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and 2 patients were post dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR).Complete patency was attained in 23 cases and 2 cases required surgical intervention. Treatment was successful in 92% cases.Probing is simple, safe, cost effective, patient satisfactory, quick and easy day care procedure with low intra and post procedural morbidity. Probing can avoid need of nasolacrimal surgeries and hence can be used as a treatment modality in earliest cases of epiphora with no discharge.

Highlights

To estimate the efficacy of probing as a treatment option in earliest cases(early catarrhal stage) of epiphora with no discharge due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction
An observational clinical study was performed on 25 patients with earliest cases of epiphora with no discharge coming to the outpatient department of ophthalmology at VIMS & RC from Jan 2019 to Aug 2019
Both male and female aged above 18 - 45 years with complaints of epiphora were included in our study

Summary

Introduction

To estimate the efficacy of probing as a treatment option in earliest cases(early catarrhal stage) of epiphora with no discharge due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Materials and Methods: An observational clinical study was performed on 25 patients with earliest cases of epiphora with no discharge. Under aseptic precautions along with adequate topical and nasal anaesthesia probing was performed in both upper and lower canaliculi, it was considered successful when epiphora was reduced to a considerable level or had resolved with patent lacrimal system for atleast 6 months after syringing. Probing can avoid need of nasolacrimal surgeries and can be used as a treatment modality in earliest cases of epiphora with no discharge. 1,2 Treatment modalities for epiphora depends on the site of obstruction, cause, age, associated comorbidities, idiopathic strictures and various other factors

Methods

Results

Conclusion