A new simple method for canalicular intubation.

A series of ten patients had canalicular intubation with Teflon and Silastic tubing. Our experience has shown that Silastic tubing appears to be more pliable, has good capillary action, and causes less irritation within the canalicular system than polyethylene or Teflon tubing. Five patients had very good results, three patients were improved, and there were two failures. We believe that this technique is useful in selected cases where there is an obstructed canaliculus near its junction with the sac. There should be only minimal scarring in the medial canthal area for the greatest chance of success with this method.