Functional Epiphora Management Via Different Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) Techniques

Non-endoscopic Endonasal, Transcanalicular, or External Dacryocystorhinostomy for Functional Epiphora: Which is Better?

135 eyes of 135 patients treated between 2005 and 2017 will be included in this study. The diagnosis of functional epiphora was made based on a patent lacrimal system with a delay in the fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) or dacryoscintigraphy (DSG) without any ocular surface or eyelid abnormalities. The absence of epiphora and normalization of FDDT postoperatively was defined as success. The study's hypothesis is that external DCR with a suitable technique will have better results compared to endonasal and transcanalicular DCR

Inclusion Criteria:

• patent lacrimal irrigation and delay in the lacrimal transit time demonstrated by fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) or a dacryoscintigraphy (DSG)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dry eye (tear break up time less than 10 seconds), ocular surface disorders, eyelid malposition or laxity, orbicularis weakness, partial block or stenosis of the lacrimal drainage, history of previous nasal, lacrimal, or ophthalmic surgeries, and a postoperative follow-up time less than six months