Xiuming Jin1, Yingying Zhao, Nvxia Tong, Wen Xu. 1. *Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou; and †Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of the Crawford tube for the treatment of chronic suppurative lacrimal canaliculitis. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 8 consecutive patients who accepted the Crawford tube to treat chronic suppurative lacrimal canaliculitis. Postoperatively, the patients were treated with 0.5% levofloxacin eyedrops 4 times per day and oral levofloxacin tablets 0.5 g once per day for 4 days. Follow-up times were >3 months after removing the Crawford tube. The condition of the lacrimal punctum and patient's symptoms were carefully evaluated. RESULTS: All patients had unilateral single canaliculus involvement and had excellent resolution of canaliculitis without the need for surgical treatment. Complications included lacrimal punctum granulation and lacrimal punctum dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS: The insertion of the Crawford tube may offer an alternative to surgery in the management of suppurative lacrimal canaliculitis.
PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of the Crawford tube for the treatment of chronic suppurative lacrimal canaliculitis. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 8 consecutive patients who accepted the Crawford tube to treat chronic suppurative lacrimal canaliculitis. Postoperatively, the patients were treated with 0.5% levofloxacin eyedrops 4 times per day and oral levofloxacin tablets 0.5 g once per day for 4 days. Follow-up times were >3 months after removing the Crawford tube. The condition of the lacrimal punctum and patient's symptoms were carefully evaluated. RESULTS: All patients had unilateral single canaliculus involvement and had excellent resolution of canaliculitis without the need for surgical treatment. Complications included lacrimal punctum granulation and lacrimal punctum dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS: The insertion of the Crawford tube may offer an alternative to surgery in the management of suppurative lacrimal canaliculitis.