Nasolacrimal outflow drainage anomalies in Down's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To describe structural abnormalities of the lacrimal drainage system and outcomes after treatment for lacrimal outflow obstruction in children with Down's syndrome.


METHODS
Retrospective comparative interventional case series.


METHODS
Thirty-eight eyes of 22 consecutive Down's syndrome patients who underwent surgical treatment for nasolacrimal drainage obstruction (mean age, 32 months) and 59 eyes of 44 non-Down's syndrome patients who underwent surgical treatment after 2 years of age.


METHODS
Resolution of symptoms after surgery and presence of anatomic abnormalities of the lacrimal drainage system other than persistent Hasner's membrane.


RESULTS
Among the Down's syndrome eyes, complete or partial resolution was noted in 34 (89%) of 38 eyes; 7 (18%) eyes underwent more than 1 procedure. Twenty-eight (74%) of 38 eyes had anatomic anomalies other than persistent Hasner's membrane; anomalies proximal to the nasolacrimal sac predominated. In comparison, 50 (85%) non-Down's syndrome eyes experienced complete or partial resolution, and 19 (32%) had anatomic abnormalities other than persistent Hasner's membrane; anomalies distal to the nasolacrimal sac predominated.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with older non-Down's syndrome patients, nasolacrimal outflow obstruction in Down's syndrome patients is more often complicated by anomalies of the lacrimal drainage system proximal to the lacrimal sac. Despite this, surgery can be similarly successful. Awareness of the possible peculiarities of lacrimal outflow obstruction in Down's syndrome patients may allow better selection and use of available treatment options.
Coats
David K
DK
Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, 6621 Fannin, MC640.00, Houston, TX 77030, USA. dcoats@bcm.tmc.edu
McCreery
Kathryn M Brady
KM
Plager
David A
DA
Bohra
Lisa
L
Kim
Dong Seob
DS
Paysse
Evelyn A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome