Long Term Effect of Double Silicone Tube Intubation for Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long term effectiveness of double silicone tube intubation in the treatment of acquired nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction. METHODS: The authors treated 68 eyes of 40 patients with acquired NLD obstruction. The resolution of preoperative symptoms and signs of NLD obstruction was evaluated 18 months after the operation. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 64.7 years and the mean follow-up period was 24.91 months. The symptoms and signs of NLD obstruction were improved in 85.29% of the patients. The partially obstructed group showed a higher success rate (89.29%) than the completely obstructed group (50.0%). A prolapse of silicone tubes to the ocular side was observed in 2 eyes, and 2 eyes had inflammatory signs after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Double silicone tube intubation is an effective primary therapy with NLD obstruction, especially for patiensts with simple partially obstructed NLD instead of dacryocystorhinostomy.