Flexible endoscopy in primary dye testing of the lacrimal system.

The Olympus PF-22 angioscope was used to examine the inferior meatus during primary dye testing in 80 lacrimal systems in 48 patients. Dye testing was done bilaterally in 32 subjects with no known abnormalities of lacrimal excretory function; it also was performed on the apparently normal contralateral side of 16 patients with unilateral epiphora. Dye was observed in the nose in 79 of 80 lacrimal systems (99%). Dye was not observed in one patient, who appeared to have a dysfunctional lacrimal excretory system. Primary dye testing of the lacrimal system is reliable when the Olympus PF-22 angioscope is used to examine the inferior meatus.