Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate a new procedure for treating canalicular obstruction by re-canaliculisation and bicanalicular intubation (RC-BCI).

Methods Thirty adult patients (32 eyes) with canalicular obstruction were treated with RC-BCI from September 2005 to December 2007 at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre (Guangzhou, China). Silicone tubes were left in place for 2–3 months and were removed when patients had relief by tearing. Patients were evaluated postoperatively by symptoms, lacrimal irrigation and satisfaction rate.

Results Mean follow-up time after tube removal was 21.5 (range 6–26) months. Twenty-six eyes (81.25%) had complete epiphora relief, two eyes (6.25%) had partial relief and four eyes (12.5%) had no improvement after the removal of the tubes. One eye (3.13%) had lower punctum splitting 2 months after the surgery. The overall satisfaction rate was 93.3% in 30 patients. No other complications occurred.

Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that the RC-BCI was an effective procedure for treating canalicular obstruction with few complications.