A Case of Congenital Lacrimal Ductule Fistula on Lateral Skin to the Right Upper Eyelid

Purpose: To present a rare case of tear drainage since birth from a lacrimal ductule fistula, which is the first report in the Republic of Korea. Case summary: A 3-month-old female who presented with discharge of clear fluid from a small skin opening lateral to the right upper eyelid since birth visited the outpatient clinic. The patient was healthy and was receiving no medication. She was born on gestation age 35 weeks and 3 days. No other specific history or other ophthalmic abnormality was found. On examination, a small skin orifice approximately 2 mm diameter and no sign of infection or discoloration was observed. To relieve this symptom, the patient underwent a fistulectomy under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen was performed. The patient's symptom subsided postoperatively without recurrence. Conclusions: This is the first report in the Republic of Korea of tears draining from a lacrimal ductule fistula since birth and the subsequent clinical treatment procedures.