Assessment and management of proximal and incomplete symptomatic obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system.
Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol 2012;
19:60-9. [PMID:
22346116 PMCID:
PMC3277026 DOI:
10.4103/0974-9233.92117]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse