Dacryocystorhinostomy for epiphora in the presence of a patent lacrimal system

Purpose: To evaluate the success rate of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for epiphora in patients with a clinically patent lacrimal drainage system. Methods: A series of 51 patients, 12 men and 39 women, who underwent DCR surgery for epiphora with a clinically patent lacrimal drainage system in the background of normal eyelid examination, were evaluated. All patients underwent fluorescein dye disappearance testing and Jones 1 and 2 testing with dacryocystograms in borderline cases. A standard DCR was performed with bicanalicular silicone tubing inserted in all cases. The average time for the removal of the silicone tubes was 9.6 weeks. Results: In 48 cases (94%) there was improvement in symptoms with minimal or no significant epiphora postoperatively. Conclusions: Epiphora with a patent lacrimal drainage system obstruction can be successfully treated by DCR based on fluorescein dye disappearance tests and Jones 1 and 2 tests, with dacryocystography in borderline cases.