title: The treatment of epiphora with balloon dacryocystoplasty.
abstract: We examine a new treatment for epiphora: balloon dilatation of the nasolacrimal duct, or dacryocystoplasty. The procedure, which was performed as an out-patient procedure under local anaesthetic, was carried out on 20 patients with epiphora, 17 due to anatomical and 3 due to functional obstruction. There was an overall success rate of 60%, with complete relief of symptoms in 4 patients and a symptomatic improvement in another 8 (follow-up 2-9 months, mean 4.2 months). All patients tolerated the procedure well with minimal per-operative and post-operative discomfort. A higher success rate was seen in those patients with either a low anatomical or a functional obstruction. The procedure can be easily repeated and, if unsuccessful, still allows a dacryocystorhinostomy to be performed at a later date.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brettle
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Chell
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Chavda
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome