Adjunctive Re-Dilation for Early Cicatrization after Punctoplasty

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate punctoplasty outcomes with adjunctive in-office probing of early post-procedure cicatricial changes.

Method: Retrospective analysis of all eyes undergoing 3-snip punctoplasty by a single surgeon between August 1,2008 and June 30, 2011.

Results: Twenty-two patients were eligible for this study. Twenty-eight eyes (15 right, 13 left) underwent punctoplasty. Twenty-three eyes underwent in-office post-procedure dilation for early cicatricial changes. Anatomical success was achieved in 22 patients (100%). Twenty-one patients (95.5%) reported improvement in epiphora.

Conclusions: Functional and anatomical success rates after punctoplasty may be improved by close post-procedure follow-up with in-office re-dilation for recurrent punctal cicatrization.

KEYWORDS::

• Punctal stenosis
• Epiphora
• Canalicular stenosis
• Punctoplasty

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.