Dacryocystosclerotherapy.

PURPOSE: To introduce a less invasive therapeutic method in selected patients with primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

METHODS

Noncomparative interventional case series. Seven patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction who were poor candidates for dacryocystorhinostomy because of underlying medical conditions and two symptomatic patients with previous incomplete dacryocystectomy were included. Ethanolamine oleate 5% was slowly injected through the puncta into the patent portion of the lacrimal drainage apparatus.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up period of 26 months, the lacrimal pathway was permanently obliterated in 6 cases (66.7%). In two cases, the procedure was repeated successfully and in one case, the patient refused to repeat the procedure after the initial failure.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients, ethanolamine oleate dacryocystosclerotherapy appears to offer a simple, low-cost, less invasive alternative to dacryocystectomy.