J Clin Ophthalmol Eye Disord | Volume 5, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

Etiology and Management of Epiphora in the Adult Patient: A Retrospective Study in an Interdisciplinary Epiphora Clinic

Vincent Q^1*, Roxane F¹, Aurelie L¹ and Nicolas M²

¹Department of Ophthalmology, UCLouvain, UCLouvain Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium
²Department of Otorhinolaryngology, UCLouvain, UCLouvain Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium

^*Correspondance to: Vincent Qin 

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Abstract

Background: Epiphora in adults is a frequent ophthalmological condition with multiple etiologies, and requires a multidisciplinary approach for management, diagnosis and treatment, combining ophthalmologists, ENTs, nuclear medicine specialists, radiologists. Few centers possess a truly multi-specialty method for analyzing and treating epiphora in adults. Materials and Methods: We have conducted a retrospective study on 57 patients with a follow-up of 12 months, to examine the different etiologies and treatments in a multidisciplinary epiphora clinic in a tertiary care setting. Patients were systematically examined by an ophthalmologist and an ENT specialist, in addition to a full epiphora clinical workup. If needed, they were then referred for additional examinations in radiology (dacryo cone beam scanner) or scintigraphy. Results: Obstruction at any stage of the lacrimal drainage system was the most common cause of epiphora (48%), followed by ocular surface disease (28%), then eyelid malposition or laxity (26%), and finally functional causes. Regarding treatments, 10.5% (n=6) of patients underwent 3-snip punctoplasty, 8% (n=5) underwent canalicular repermeabilization through sharp catheterization, 21% (n=12) underwent DCR, 42% (n=24) were prescribed lid hygiene or ocular lubrication, 21% (n=12) underwent eyelid surgery through canthopexy, 1% (n=1) had a combined treatment and 19% (n=11) had no treatment. Discussion: A multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial in epiphora management. In addition, our results are in line with the etiology distributions found in the literature.

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Citation:

Vincent Q, Roxane F, Aurelie L, Nicolas M. Etiology and Management of Epiphora in the Adult Patient: A Retrospective Study in an Interdisciplinary Epiphora Clinic. J Clin Ophthalmol Eye Disord. 2021; 5(1): 1032.