EPIPHORA - A QUICK FIX

Purpose To assess whether any simple, easily performed and minimally i nvasive procedure may help the symptoms of patients with functional na solacrimal obstruction without recourse to elaborate investigation or major surgery. A randomised study was performed to assess the success of retropunctal cautery (RPC) and one-snip punctoplasty in this condit ion. Methods In the absence of any cause for excess lacrimation, eyeli d malposition or nasolacrimal obstruction, patients underwent either s yringing alone (group A, n = 15) or syringing with RPC and a one-snip punctoplasty (group B, n = 15). Results Three months after treatment, six patients in group A were improved, compared with 13 in group B (Fi sher's exact test, p = 0.0096). Conclusions We would recommend that pa tients who suffer from a pump or functional nasolacrimal obstruction s hould receive RPC and a one-snip punctoplasty following the demonstrat ion of a patent system on syringing. These simple procedures would not impair further investigation or lacrimal surgery if required in the f uture.