Effects of Double Silicone Tube Intubation for Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Adults

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of double silicone tube intubation in the treatment of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in adults. METHODS: We treated 159 eyes of 159 patients with NLD obstruction. The resolution of preoperative symptoms and signs of NLD obstruction was evaluated two months after the removal of the silicone tubes. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 57.9 years and the mean follow-up period was 8.5 months. The symptoms and signs of NLD obstruction were reduced in 85.6% of the patients. The partially obstructed group showed a higher lacrimal patency rate (93.0%) than the completely obstructed NLD group (82.7%). There was no discomfort due to the double silicone tubes. There was a punctal slit in 13 eyes, prolapse of silicone tubes to ocular side in 5 eyes and 3 eyes had punctum to punctum adhesion after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Double silicone tube intubation is an effective therapy in adults with NLD obstruction, especially for those with partially obstructed NLD. Indications were seen that these tubes keep greater dilatation of the NLD.