The efficacy of intubation on adults lacrimal duct obstruction withnew generation silicon tube

Objective To study the efficacy of intubation on adults lacrimal duct obstruction with new generation silicon tube. Methods A retrospective non-random and non-control case series. Thirty-two patients (37 eyes) with lacrimal duct obstruction who had undergone intubation with new generation silicon tube were retrospectively reviewed in Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. The mean duration of symptoms of epiphora was 16.3±3.8 months. All the patients were followed up at least 3 months after the tube removal. Success rates were evaluated by both symptoms of epiphora and syringing. Results Among 37 eyes, 26 of 37 (70.3%) were cured completely, 4 eyes were relieved in epiphora, 24 of 27 eyes (88.9%) were cured or relievedin simple lacrimal duct obstruction, 6 of 10 eyes (60.0%) was cured or relieved in dacryocystitis(P <0.05). The success rate for patients whose duration of symptoms of epiphora within 2 yearswas much higher thanthat whose duration of symptoms over 2 years(P <0.05). Conclusions It seems that the intubation using new generation silicon tube has a high success ratefor lacrimal duct obstruction, especially for early simple lacrimal duct obstruction. Key words: Lacrimal duct obstruction; Dacryocystitis; Intubation