DACRYOCYSTOPLASTY - TREATMENT OF EPIPHORA BY MEANS OF BALLOON DILATION OF THE OBSTRUCTED NASOLACRIMAL DUCT SYSTEM

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment of epiphora due to acquired stenotic obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct system with dacryocystoplasty (DCP), in which balloon dilation is used to alleviate the obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients (21 eyes) with epiphora due to obstructing lesions at the saccular or subsaccular level were treated with DCP. The authors used a catheter with a balloon diameter of only 3 mm to prevent damage to the nasolacrimal duct system and a non-traumatizing guide wire. Stent placement was not considered necessary. Follow-up ranged from 14 to 70 weeks. RESULTS: Cannulation was not possible in one case of complete obstruction. DCP was successfully performed in the other 20 cases. In 18 of these cases (90%), results comparable with those of dacryocystorhinostomy were achieved. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: DCP is potentially the treatment of choice for epiphora due to acquired stenotic obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct system.