Diagnosis and treatment of lacrimal passage obstruction by lacrimal endoscope.

The diagnosis and treatment of the lacrimal passage obstruction with lacrimal endoscope was investigated and its subsidiary surgical procedures were evaluated. Ninety-three patients (109 eyes) with lacrimal passage obstruction, including presaccal canalicular obstruction (PSCO) and nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), were examined under a lacrimal endoscope, and the obstructions were treated with laser or micro-drill. All patients were followed up after the operation for 3-6 months. The difference between the laser and the micro-drill treatment was observed. During the period of follow-up, the curative rate was 82.57%. The healing rate in PSCO group and NLDO was 80.36% and 84.91% respectively (P>0.05). After treatment with the laser, the healing rate was 93.33% in the PSCO group and 66.67% in the NLDO group respectively (P<0.05). After treatment with the micro-drill, the healing rate in PSCO and NLDO groups was 65.39% and 94.28% respectively (P<0.01). The lacrimal passage obstruction can be observed and treated directly through the lacrimal endoscope. Choosing different surgical procedures in operation according to the locations of the obstruction is helpful to improve the effectiveness.