Assessment and management of proximal and incomplete symptomatic obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system

• Published in: Middle East African journal of ophthalmology Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 60 - 69
• Main Authors: Kashkouli, MohsenBahmani, Pakdel, Farzad, Kiavash, Victoria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 2012; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Dacryocystitis; Diagnosis; Eyes & eyesight; Medical diagnosis; Ophthalmology; Review; Risk factors; Saudi Arabia; Functional lacrimal obstruction; Punctal stenosis; Stenosis; Nasolacrimal duct; Epiphora; Canalicular stenosis
• ISSN: 0974-9233; 0975-1599; 0975-1599; 0974-9233
• DOI: 10.4103/0974-9233.92117

Epiphora is a common complaint of patients who present to an Ophthalmology Clinic. In many cases, epiphora is due to an obstruction in the lacrimal drainage system. However, a subgroup of symptomatic patients with epiphora has a patent lacrimal drainage system. Such cases are usually termed 'functional obstruction' and / or 'stenosis of the lacrimal drainage system'. Various etiologies and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been described in literature, which implies the lack of a standardized approach. This article will review the evolving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in literature, and in the end, propose a paradigm in approaching this group of patients.