Causes of epiphora in diagnosed and treated patients in Department of Ophthalmology in Military Institute of Health Service

Introduction
Analysis of causes of epiphora in patients which have been examined in Department of Ophthalmology in Military Institute of Health Service from 2004 to 2007.

Material and methods
The study has comprised 330 subjects: 241 women and 89 men (mean age 58.85 ± 19.93 years). All patients have been examined because of epiphora (eyelid and lacrimal punctum position, medial canthal tendon laxity – horizontal resting position, lateral distraction test, fluorescein dye disappearance test, syringing of the upper and lower canaliculus, dacryocystography and/or lacrimal scintigraphy).

Results
There have been 3% patients with epiphora who have been examined in our clinic. Duration of epiphora has been mean 39.24 months. The main causes of epiphora have been: primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, idiopathic acquired dacryostenosis, punctal stenosis (22.42%, 19.7%, 19.09%), and rare: diverticulum, punctal papilloma, stenosis after radiotheraphy, Recklinghausen’s disease.

Conclusions
The correct diagnosis is the condition for the proper planning of the therapy schedule. Epiphora is frequent and annoying symptom.