Incidence of Primary Punctal Stenosis in Adult Patients with Epiphora

Background Punctal stenosis is one of the etiologies of epiphora, which is caused by an anatomical narrowing or occlusion of the external opening of the lacrimal canaliculi. Punctal stenosis is graded according to punctal sizes examined under slit-lamp biomicroscopy into grade 0 (could not find papilla and punctum), grade 1: Papilla is covered by a membrane (exudative or true membrane), grade 2: Smaller than normal size but recognizable, grade 3: normal, grade 4: Small slit (<2 mm) and grade 5: Large slit (>2 mm). Objective To assess the incidence of punctal stenosis in adult patients with epiphora attending outpatient’s ophthalmology clinic at Ain Shams University Hospital during the months of January and February 2020. Patients and Methods This is an observational study, conducted at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Ophthalmology Department, Ain Shams University, using non-probability (convenience) sample. It included all patients above 18 years old who presented to the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic during the months of January and February 2020 with tearing, proved to be epiphora on clinical examination. Results Thirty one patients, out of 1800 patients attending the Outpatient Ophthalmology Clinic during the study period had epiphora with incidence of 1.6 %. Incidence of punctal stenosis was reported to be 68.4%. Other reported causes of epiphora were: Canaliculitis (3.5%), chronic dacrocystitis (5.3%), lacrimal sac mucocele (1.8%) and lower lid laxity (21.1%). Punctal stenosis was more common in females (61.5%) with mean age 58.55 years ± 11.67 SD. Punctal stenosis usually presented as bilateral (93.3%). Regarding ocular history 41% of cases were on topical anti glaucoma treatments. Most patients were medically free (54%). Conclusion Incidence of epiphora was 1.6% out of patients attending ASU Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic. Punctal stenosis incidence was reported to be 68.4%. Most of the cases were females, above 63 years, grade one was the most common, with significant association with the long term use of topical anti-glaucoma medications.

Epiphora; Successful Response to Systemic Steroids vs Topical Steroids

Purpose: Topical steroids are considered to be the first line of treatment for some forms of idiopathic punctal stenosis causing epiphora. We present a case of epiphora, which was unresponsive to traditional management, but responded to one week of systemic steroids. Observations: A 48-year-old male with no significant medical history, was referred to us for excessive tearing. He was seen earlier by an ophthalmologist for redness in one of his eyes. He was prescribed Pataday (Olopatadine) eye drops and Zylet (Tobramycin, Lotepriol) eye drops for both eyes. The patient was seen again after a week of treatment without much improvement. His treatment was changed to Alrex (Loteprednol) and Azasite (Azithromycin) eye drops. The redness of the eye disappeared in a week but patient noticed excessive tearing of his eyes. He was referred to reconstructive ophthalmologist for treatment of possible punctal stenosis. On examination the height of tear meniscus was increased and diagnostic lacrimal probing and syringing of the lacrimal drainage system demonstrated both lacrimal drainage system patent. Punctal stenosis was diagnosed. Over the next couple of weeks, patient underwent multiple syringing of the lacrimal duct system with temporary relief of symptoms. He was also prescribed Tobradex (Tobramycin+Dexamethasone) eye drops to be used for a month. Eye drops helped for the duration of treatment but symptoms returned after a couple of days of discontinuing eye drops. Patient also received ductal probing and punctal dilation in the office without much relief. Mini perforated plugs were placed in both puncta resulting in temporary relief. At the same time the intra ocular pressure started to rise and Tobradex eye drops were discontinued immediately. After almost three months of treatment and continuation of debilitating symptoms of epiphora, patient decided to consider surgical intervention and consulted an ENT surgeon for second opinion. Since he was responding to topical steroids, which was causing an increase in his intra ocular pressure, the ENT surgeon suggested Medrol Pack (Prednisolone for a week). Patient was symptom free after 4 days of treatment and by 7th day, his eyes were back to normal with complete disappearance of epiphora symptoms. Conclusions and importance: Systemic steroids can be beneficial in patients suffering from Idiopathic/Iatrogenic punctal stenosis unresponsive to topical steroids and conventional treatments.

The relationship between histopathological features and surgical success in primary acquired punctal stenosis

Purpose: To investigate the pathophysiology of punctal stenosis based on histopathological features, and to assess the correlation between histopathological findings and treatment outcomes in primary punctal stenosis. Methods: A total of 43 eyes of 34 consecutive patients with primary punctal stenosis were included in this prospective study. Punctum specimens obtained by rectangular three-snip punctoplasty (TSP) were examined based on the multilayered structure of the epithelium and subepithelial histopathology. The correlation between the histopathological findings and treatment outcomes was evaluated. Results: A total of 61.8% of the patients were female and had an average age of 62.4 (41–81) years. Based on the histopathological examination, all 43 puncta consisted of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelia. Subepithelial pathology demonstrated inflammation in 10 puncta (23.3%), fibrosis in 19 puncta (44.2%) and both inflammation and fibrosis in 11 puncta (25.6%). There was a moderate relationship between the presence of subepithelial fibrosis and symptom duration ( r = 0.4, p = 0.03). The surgical success was 88.4% at the mean of 12.4 ± 3.5 months follow-up. The surgical success was clinically lower in the puncta with exhibited fibrosis, although it was not statistically significant ( p = 0.6). Conclusion: Although the findings for almost all punctum specimens were consistent with fibrosis, inflammation or both, subepithelial fibrosis was detected as the most common histopathological feature. Clinically lower surgical success rates in puncta exhibiting fibrosis may be associated with a longer duration of symptoms and excessive postoperative healing response.

Rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty versus punch punctoplasty with silicone intubation for acquired external punctal stenosis: a prospective randomized comparative study

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty versus punch punctoplasty via Kelly punch with silicone intubation for the management of acquired external punctal stenosis (AEPS). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, comparative study was performed on 123 eyes of 94 patients with AEPS. Patients were recruited into either group of rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty (group A) or group of punch punctoplasty with silicone intubation (group B). Outcomes measured were Munk score, grade of punctal stenosis, fluorescein dye disappearance time test (FDDT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) 6 and 12mo after surgery. RESULTS: Twelve months after surgery, Munk score, FDDT and TMH significantly decreased in both groups compared with the baseline (all P<0.05), and grade of punctal stenosis increased significantly (P<0.05). The grade of punctal stenosis, Munk score, FDDT and TMH were better in group B compared with group A at 6 or 12mo (all P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between TMH and Munk score (R=0.655, P<0.001). At the last followed-up, anatomical success was noted in 96.7% eyes in group A and 98.4% eyes in group B (P=0.613). CONCLUSION: Punch punctoplasty via Kelly punch with silicone intubation achieves better outcomes than rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty. The new technique is a simple, minimally invasive, with high anatomical and functional success in patients with AEPS.

Lacrimal stenting versus three-snip punctoplasty for treatment of punctal stenosis or occlusion: An open-label, randomized clinical trial

Background: To compare the short-term anatomical and functional outcomes of, as well as patient satisfaction with, lacrimal stenting and three-snip punctoplasty for the treatment of punctal stenosis or occlusion. Methods: In this open-label, randomized clinical trial, we included 50 eyes of 30 patients diagnosed with punctal stenosis or occlusion. They were randomly allocated to two groups of 25 eyes each, using central telephone randomization. Group A underwent a lacrimal stenting procedure and was subdivided into two subgroups: Group A1 (13 eyes) received polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated perforated punctal plugs, and Group A2 (12 eyes) received closed intubation using a bicanalicular silicon tube. Group B included 25 eyes that underwent three-snip punctoplasty. All eyes were examined after 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Postoperative anatomical success assessing the punctum size, functional success using the fluorescein disappearance test, and patient satisfaction based on epiphora scoring were recorded. Results: Both study groups were comparable in terms of sex and age distribution. Compared to Group B, Group A had a significantly larger punctum size at one, three, and 6-month postoperatively (P = 0.009, 0.01, and 0.02, respectively). The difference in FDT results was significant between the two groups at all follow-up visits (P = 0.008, 0.0001, 0.003, and 0.002, at postoperative one week, one-months, three-month, and six-month, respectively). Likewise, patient satisfaction was significantly different between both groups at all follow-up visits (P = 0.007, 0.001, 0.005, and 0.002, at postoperative one week, one-months, three-month, and six-month, respectively). Conclusions: Lacrimal stenting is an effective method for the treatment of punctal stenosis or occlusion. Overall, the FDT results and patient satisfaction outcomes were significantly better. Keywords: punctal occlusion, punctal stenosis, epiphora, lacrimal stenting, closed intubation, bicanalicular silicon tube, perforated punctal plugs, three-snip punctoplasty, 3-snip punctoplasty

Acquired symptomatic external punctal stenosis: A tertiary referral center study

Background: To report the prevalence of acquired symptomatic external punctal stenosis (EPS) in a tertiary referral center in Kuwait, and to study the associated risk factors, etiologies, and management outcomes. Methods: This prospective interventional hospital-based study was performed at the Farwaniya governmental hospital in Kuwait between November 2018 and November 2019. All patients were referred to the oculoplastic clinic with symptomatic epiphora, age > 18 years, epiphora Munk score ≥ 0, tear film meniscus ≥ 2 mm, and punctum with grade ≤ 2 (smaller than normal size, but recognizable EPS) were included. Exclusion criteria were congenital causes of epiphora, previous eyelid surgeries, and traumatic or neoplastic causes of punctal or canalicular obstruction. Results: A total of 418 patients with symptomatic epiphora, who were referred to our oculoplastic clinic, were enrolled in our study. The prevalence of EPS was 70.3%. Examination of the puncta revealed different shapes, including tangential, pinpoint, elevated, slit-shaped, horse shoe-shaped, and membranous puncta, with the tangential type accounting for the greatest proportion (65.3%). Bilateral punctal stenosis was observed in 206 patients (70.1%) and unilateral involvement in 88 patients (29.9%). Dilatation and syringing were performed for all puncta upon diagnosis, and repeated dilatation was performed for 225 puncta (32.7%). Placement of a Mini-Monoka tube was performed in 11 puncta (1.6%). Conclusions: EPS was a common cause of symptomatic epiphora in our study. Aging and female sex were identified as common risk factors. Most etiological factors of EPS were associated with a pathophysiological inflammatory mechanism. For exact estimates of its prevalence, a population-based study is necessary in future. Keywords: punctal stenosis, dry eye, chronic blepharitis, Mini Monoka, Kuwait, prevalence, epiphora

A Comparison between Placement of three interrupted sutures after Triangular Three-snip Punctoplasty vs conventional Triangular Three-snip Punctoplasty for treatment of lower punctal stenosis

Aim is to evaluate surgical outcome of Triangular Three-snip Punctoplasty (TSP) with three interrupted sutures and compare it to conventional Triangular Three-snip Punctoplasty (TSP) in treatment of acquired lower punctal stenosis. Methods This prospective study included 40 eyelids of 24 patients with acquired lower punctal stenosis grade 1 or grade 2 were classified in two groups. Group A was treated by triangular 3-snip punctoplasty of the lower punctum followed by three interrupted sutures at the posterior ampulla and group B was treated by conventional triangular 3-snip punctoplasty of the lower punctum. Grade of epiphora and grade of FDDT were measured preoperative then post-operative after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Success was defined as postoperative improvement of epiphora and FDDT grading with no restenosis to occur. Results from 20 eyelids in group A, 16 cases showed success (80%) with patent puncta, 2 cases (10%) showed no change and 2 cases (10%) showed failure with restenosis. While from 20 eyelids in group B, 14 cases showed success (60%) with patent puncta, 4 cases (20%) showed no change and 4 cases (20%) showed failure with restenosis. Conclusion proposed triangular 3-snip punctoplasty of the lower punctum followed by three interrupted sutures seems to have better results compared to conventional triangular 3-snip punctoplasty of the lower punctum in treatment of grade 1 or 2 lower punctal stenosis.

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.