THE EFFECT OF DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY ON TEAR FILM FLOW AND STABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DACRYOCYSTITIS

In 30 patients suffering from chronic dacryocystitis, tear film flow a nd stability were assessed by means of Schirmer I and break-up time te sts before and after dacryocystorhinostomy. When compared with those o f healthy individuals, mean values of Schirmer I tests were found to b e decreased before dacryocystorhinostomy, but reached normal levels af ter a successful operation. Break-up time levels were found to be with in normal limits before and after surgery and no statistically signifi cant difference was observed between patients and control group. These findings not only confirm the previous findings, that tear secretion in patients with chronic dacryocystitis was reduced and break-up time was not affected, but also indicate that the reduction of tear secreti on can be eliminated by a successful dacryocystorhinostomy.