Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:389-391 ( April )
Efficacy of probing as treatment of epiphora in adults with
blocked nasolacrimal ducts
Ana Guinot-Saera,
Peter Koay
Department of
Ophthalmology, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Darlington, County
Durham DL3 6HX
Correspondence to: Dr A Guinot-Saera,
C/Alvaro de Bazan, 22, 17, 46010-Valencia, Spain.
Accepted for publication 28 October 1997
AIMS
To determine the efficacy of probing in the
initial treatment of epiphora and the symptom free period in adults
with blocked nasolacrimal ducts.
METHODSThe 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.
RESULTS35% 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 difference
(p=0.001) in the symptom free period between the no watering and severe
watering groups.
CONCLUSIONSProbing in adults with confirmed
nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be recommended as an initial
treatment procedure because of its relatively good efficacy and high
patient satisfaction without compromising subsequent surgical treatment
if unsuccessful.
Keywords:
epiphora;
nasolacrimal ducts;
probing
© 1998 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
