Repair of occluded lower canaliculus.

Epiphora resulting from traumatic occlusion of the inferior canaliculus has long been a vexing problem. A simple operation to cure some of these cases consists of unroofing the proximal portion of the canaliculus with use of a smooth-tipped pigtail probe passed from above as a guide. Prerequisites for the operation are a patent superior canaliculus, sac, and proximal segment of the inferior canaliculus. Epiphora was corrected in five of seven eyes with this surgery.