Pulled versus Pushed Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation in Adults with Lacrimal Drainage System Stenosis: A Comparative Case Series

Purpose. To compare the success rate and complications of pulled versus pushed monocanalicular intubation in adults with incomplete lacrimal drainage system obstruction (lacrimal drainage system stenosis). Methods. Patients with lacrimal drainage system stenosis (Munk grade ≥3), including both nasolacrimal duct (NLD) stenosis and common canalicular stenosis, were recruited in this prospective comparative case series. Patients underwent probing and either Monoka (51 eyes) or Masterka (48 eyes) intubation under general or local anesthesia. Tubes were removed 4–14 weeks after the procedure. Six months after tube removal, Munk grades 0 and 1 were defined as a complete success, Munk grade 2 was defined as a partial success, and Munk grade ≥3 was defined as failure. All complications were recorded. Results. Ninety-nine eyes from 89 patients with lacrimal drainage system stenosis who underwent either Monoka (51 eyes) or Masterka (48 eyes) intubation were included. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 55.4 (12) years in the Monoka group and 53.5 (12.9) in the Masterka group. Groups were matched on demographics. Masterka intubation could not be performed in one eye. Complete and partial successes were observed in 52.9% (27/51) and 17.6% (9/51) of eyes in the Monoka group and 42.6% (20/47) and 12.8% (6/47) of eyes in the Masterka group, respectively ( p = 0.29 ). There was a trend toward a higher total success rate in patients with NLD stenosis treated with Monoka 66.7% (26/39) than Masterka 45.5% (15/33) intubation ( p = 0.07 ). This trend also existed in patients with common canalicular stenosis (83.3% (10/12) vs. 76.6% (11/14), p = 0.75 ). Age, sex, bilateral involvement, and duration of intubation did not have a significant impact on the success rate. Early tube loss, slit puncta, and temporary superficial punctate keratopathy were observed complications. Conclusion. Intubation with the pulled monocanalicular silicone tube was associated with a slightly but not significantly higher success rate in adults with lacrimal drainage system stenosis. Patients with NLD stenosis may achieve better results with pulled silicone tubes.

Docetaxel for Breast Cancer Treatment-Side Effects on Ocular Surface, a Systematic Review

Docetaxel is a very effective chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer. Epiphora (hyperlacrimation) has been shown to be the most common eye condition in patients receiving docetaxel-based chemotherapy. This symptom does not decrease visual acuity, but decreases the quality of life. Daily activities (reading, working on the computer, watching TV, and so on) are affected, with patients complaining about an alteration of daily life with the appearance of this symptom. The mechanism by which epiphora occurs is considered to be the canalicular stenosis, but the trials on the subject failed to reach statistical significance. The objective of this scoping review is to determine whether there is a treatment regimen-dependent relationship between docetaxel administration and the presence of epiphora in women with breast cancer. The inclusion criteria were met by 10 trials, from which one was excluded owing to data selection biases. Accordingly, nine studies were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively in the present review. We included subjects with docetaxel as single treatment or docetaxel in combination with other chemotherapy compounds. The occurrence of epiphora among subjects treated with docetaxel, regardless of the therapeutic regimen used, was statistically significant (p = 0.005). The proportion of patients with epiphora after weekly administration of docetaxel (54 out of 131 subjects, 41.22%) was different compared with that of those who received docetaxel at three week intervals (112 out of 325 subjects, 34.15%), but the difference between the two was not statistically significant (p = 0.732). The present study demonstrates that epiphora occurs more frequently in patients receiving weekly docetaxel-based chemotherapy than those taking the three-weekly regimen, but the difference is not statistically significant. Ophthalmologic assessment of all patients starting this treatment is recommended. The causal relationship between canalicular stenosis and epiphora is not fully elucidated as long as this ocular symptom occurs in women who do not have stenosis of the lacrimal system. Further well-designed trials are required to bring new insights into the mechanisms of epiphora pathogenesis in subjects treated with docetaxel.

Anatomical and Functional Outcome of Rectangular Three Snip Punctoplasty in Primary Acquired Punctal Stenosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi

Purpose: To find out the anatomical and functional outcomes of rectangular three-snip punctoplasty in primary acquired punctal stenosis. Study Design: Quasi Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Karachi, from July to December 2020. Methods: Patients of age 50 years and above, from either gender with primary acquired punctal stenosis of any grade (0-5) presenting with epiphora were recruited from Oculoplasty Outpatient department. Punctal stenosis with secondary causes like lesion on or around punctum or lacrimal drainage system and history of surgery or radiotherapy, lower canalicular or common canalicular stenosis were excluded from the study. Punctal stenosis was graded by Kashkouli scale and epiphora by the Munk score. After local anesthesia, two vertical cuts were given in the posterior wall of the punctum and a third cut was given horizontally to connect the vertical cuts. This resulted in a posterior ampullectomy. Syringing and probing was done to assess patency of the lower lacrimal drainage system. The patients were followed up for 6 months to assess for anatomical and functional success. Results: At the end of six month anatomical success was achieved in 85% cases and functional success in 70% patients. Fifteen percent patients suffered re-stenosis of punctum. Conclusion: Rectangular punctoplasty is a functionally successful procedure for treating primary acquired punctal stenosis. The anatomy is least distorted and long-term recurrence rate is also low. Key Words: Epiphora, Primary acquired punctual stenosis, Punctoplasty, Munk score.