rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:1123-1126 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.069286
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

Management of childhood epiphora

  1. J E Marr1,
  2. A Drake-Lee2,
  3. H E Willshaw1
  1. 1Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
  2. 2Deparment of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
  1. Correspondence to: Mr H E Willshaw Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Children’s Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK; harry.willshawbch.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 23 April 2005

Abstract

Aims: To examine the effectiveness of a management protocol for childhood epiphora using a joint ophthalmological and otolaryngological team approach.

Method: A temporally defined retrospective study of 70 children (92 eyes) undergoing surgery for persistent epiphora, despite two previous technically successful probing procedures. All the operations involved a joint approach involving a paediatric ophthalmologist and a paediatric otolaryngologist.

Results: In children with congenital nasolacrimal obstruction this joint approach yielded a 73% (89%) success rate, while in children with acquired nasolacrimal obstruction the success rate was 57%.

Conclusions: Endonasal nasolacrimal intubation and endonasal DCR are safe and effective procedures for the management of persistent epiphora in children. They avoid the need for overnight admission and carry a minimal complication rate.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

This Article

Services

  1. Request permissions

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Social bookmarking

Register for free content


Free sample
This recent issue is free to all users to allow everyone the opportunity to see the full scope and typical content of BJO.
View free sample issue >>

Free archive
The full back archive is now available for BJO. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006, back to volume 1 issue 1.
Register to access the free archive >>

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.