Diagnosis and Therapy of Canaliculitis

ABSTRACT

Canaliculitis is an uncommon condition. It is often difficult to diagnose because of its chronicity and its multitude of clinical presentations. We reviewed the nature, the diagnosis and therapy of six patients of chronic lacrimal canaliculitis. Bacteriologic investigation showed one case of E. coli, one case of alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, two of coagulase-negative staphylococcus and no growth to be seen in two cases. On dacryocystography, canalicular diverticulum were found in three cases. Five patients were treated with conservation therapy and one case improved with surgical treatment. Canaliculitis can be diagnosed by clinical features and dacryocystography. Conservative therapy should take priority to surgical treatment.