Abstract

Background/aims: The authors have previously reported a short term mean 15 month follow up of nasolacrimal intubation in adults. The effectiveness of this procedure for long term (mean 78 months) control of epiphoria is assessed here.

Methods: 65 eyes from 40 patients who underwent nasolacrimal intubation were followed. Mean age at intubation was 59.2 years. The mean follow up period was 6.2 years. The results were based on long term symptomatic improvement.

Results: Complete long term resolution of symptoms was reported in 50.7%. A partial improvement was reported in 38.5%, and no improvement in 10.7%. A better outcome was associated with a canalicular than nasolacrimal duct obstruction. On long term follow up 16.9% required dacrocysto-rhinostomy (DCR).

Conclusion: Nasolacrimal intubation, a minimally invasive procedure is successful in the long term control of epiphora. Selection of patients with canalicular duct obstruction gives higher success rates with fewer patients subsequently requiring the DCR procedure.