The Relationship between the Dacryoscintigraphy and the Satisfaction with Punctal Occlusion in Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the result of dacryoscintigraphy and the effect of punctal occlusion in dry eye syndrome. METHODS: Dacryoscintigraphy was performed in 86 eyes with dry eye syndrome and collagen plugs were inserted into low punctum. We evaluated the relationship between the results of dacryoscintigraphy and the effect of punctal occlusion with collagen plugs. RESULTS: In 36 eyes, tear transit time was normal in dacryoscintigraphy (Group I). In 28 eyes, tear transit time was more than 20 minutes (Group II). In 18 eyes, no tear transit was seen during 60 minutes and after dripping of normal saline, tear transit was seen (Group III). In 4 eyes, there was no tear transit after dripping of normal saline (Group IV). Symptom reduction after punctal occlusion with collagen plugs was observed in 34 eyes (94%) of Group I and 22 eyes (79%) of Group II . There was no significant differences between the two groups. In Group III, symptom reduction was observed in 4 eyes (22%) and it showed significant differences between the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to this results, punctal occlusion in dry eye syndrome was not effective in patients who showed tear transit after 60 minutes.