Lacrimal Passages Injury Associated With Eyelid Burns

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To develop a protocol for treatment of injuries to lacrimal punctum and canaliculus associated with eyelid burns. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven patients who required the treatment of punctal and canalicular injuries caused by medial eyelid burns. RESULTS: Four patients were treated with punctoplasty and bicanalicular silicone tube intubation within 3 weeks of injury. One patient was treated at 2 months and punctum of upper eyelid was not found, requiring punctoplasty and monocanalicular silicone tube intubation of lower eyelid. Silicone tube removal was performed over a range of 3 to 6 months. Two patients were treated after 3 months of injury by conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy. Six patients showed good passage by syringing after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Early evaluation and treatment of canalicular burn injuries can avoid complex surgical procedures such as conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy, and silicone tube removal is recommended before 6 months after surgery.