Correction of Tear Trough Deformity with Minced Orbital Fat Grafts During Transconjunctival Lower Blepharoplasty.

BACKGROUND: The correction of tear trough deformity poses a significant challenge in the context of facial rejuvenation. Our aim was to introduce a technique that corrects tear trough deformity during transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty using minced orbital fat grafts. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent lower blepharoplasty from January 2019 to December 2021 were reviewed. The study included patients with various grades of tear trough deformity, who underwent lower blepharoplasty using minced orbital fat grafts and followed up for at least 6 months. Modified Barton's grading for tear trough depression, patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of ninety-eight patients, with a mean age of 48.07 ± 9.72 years, consisting of 93 (94.9%) females were included in the study. The average duration of follow-up was 7.2 months, ranging from 6 to 13 months. Tear trough depression significantly improved after the operation (preoperative tear trough depression grade mean (SD): 3.11 (0.60); postoperative tear trough depression grade mean (SD): 0.87 (0.66); P < 0.001). 78.5% of the participants reported their outcome as excellent or good, 20.4% reported as fair, and 1.0% (only one patient) reported as no improvement. None of the participants rated their outcome as worsening. No major complication was observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Minced orbital fat grafting during transconjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty has good effectiveness for correcting tear trough deformity without the risk of major complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lacrimal Gland Prolapse: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Lacrimal gland prolapse (LGP) is considered to be one of the causes for upper eyelid contour abnormality that should be recognized and treated properly to yield satisfactory outcomes in blepharoplasty. To describe current findings about the prevalence, pre- and intraoperative diagnosis of LGP and its treatment options. METHODS: PubMed and Google Scholar were thoroughly searched for articles published describing the diagnosis and treatment of LGP. RESULTS: The reported prevalence of LGP by various authors varies between 10 and 60% based on their preoperative or intraoperative reports. Techniques such as dacryoadenopexy, modified dacryoadenopexy, and dacryoplasty have been described to secure the prolapsed lacrimal gland back into its original position. Additionally, creating a Whitnall's barrier has also been suggested as a method to reposition the gland. While all these surgical procedures have shown promising immediate results, there is a lack of published data on their long-term outcomes. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis and proper treatment of LGP could enhance the cosmetic results of upper eyelid blepharoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Assessing the success rate of treatment in simple and complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare the success rate (SR) of probing and intubation in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). METHODS: We conducted a literature search for identifying relevant studies published in English using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from the date of inception to Feb 2023. After extracting data, the SR was compared between the study groups: simple and complex CNLDO. To compare the treatment outcome, the mean difference of the SR was considered as the effect size. Random effects model or fixed effects model were performed for statistical inferences. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were eligible to be analyzed. The pooled SR of treatment was 88% in simple, and 57% in complex CNLDO. Exerting intubation in increased the SR from 87% (SR of probing) to 92% in simple CNLDO which was not significant. However, compared to probing, intubation has a significantly higher SR in complex CNLDO (46 to 82%). While the SR of probing was significantly lower in complex CNLDO, the difference between the SR of intubation was not significant between groups. Although increasing the age does not have an adverse effect on the SR in simple CNDLO, it causes a significant decrease in the SR of complex group. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that even though the addition of NLD intubation does not provide significant benefits beyond probing alone for patients with simple CNLDO, in children with complex CNLDO, NLD intubation should be considered as a primary treatment due to its substantial increase in surgical success rates. Delaying the treatment would increase its success in patients with complex but not the simple CNLDO.

Hypo vs. hyperthyroid eye disease: is there any difference?

BACKGROUND: Thyroid-eye disease (TED) is the most common extra-thyroidal presentation of graves' disease. We performed this study to compare clinical characteristics of TED in hypothyroid vs. hyperthyroid patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analytical cross-sectional study in which we compared demographics, severity (EUGOGO classification) and activity (clinical activity score) of TED, thyroid disease duration, TED duration and clinical signs between hypothyroid eye disease (Ho-TED) and hyperthyroid eye disease (Hr-TED). To minimize the effect of selection bias and potential confounders, 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was also performed. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-four patients (341 Hr-TED and 33 Ho-TED) with a female to male ratio of 1.4:1 were identified in our study. Female to male ratio was 1.3:1 in hyperthyroid and 4.5:1 in hypothyroid group (P = 0.005). The duration of thyroid disease was longer in Ho-TED (P = 0.002) while the duration of eye disease was not significantly different between the Hr-TED (mean = 24.33 ± 41.69, median = 8) and Ho-TED (mean = 19.06 ± 33.60, median = 12) (P = 0.923). Most of the patients in hypothyroid group developed eye involvement after thyroid disease (80.0% in hypo vs. 48.1% in hyper, P = 0.003). Severity (P = 0.13) and activity (P = 0.11) was not different between Hr-TED and Ho-TED patients. After PSM analysis, no clinical characteristics were significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed several differences between the Hr/Ho TED patients including sex, duration of thyroid disease and pattern of eye involvement. After matching the two groups with statistical methods, no clinical characteristics were different between Hr-TED and Ho-TED patients.

A comparison between bilateral and unilateral thyroid eye disease.

PURPOSE: To compare characteristics of unilateral vs. bilateral thyroid eye disease (TED). METHODS: This retrospective analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with TED who were evaluated at an academic referral center over a 6-year period. We compared demographics, activity (clinical activity score) and severity (EUGOGO classification) of TED, thyroid disease duration, TED duration, the time interval between thyroid and eye involvement, thyroid function status, and clinical signs between bilateral and unilateral TED. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-three patients including 213 females (55.6%), who had a mean age of 40.23 ± 13.72 years, were enrolled. Active TED was seen in 8.8% of bilateral and none of unilateral cases (P = 0.04). Bilateral TED patients had more severe disease (P = 0.001). The distribution of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and euthyroidism was significantly different between unilateral and bilateral groups (P = 0.001). Abnormal ocular motility was present in 26.3% versus 2.3% of bilateral and unilateral ones, respectively (P = 0.001). Proptosis was more prevalent in bilateral than unilateral cases (P = 0.001). We did not observe any statistically significant difference between the two groups in others variables. CONCLUSION: Bilateral TED patients present with more severity, activity, movement abnormality, proptosis, and hyperthyroidism.

Decreased Bell's phenomenon after inferior and medial orbital wall decompression in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: a double-edged sword in management of the patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in Bell's phenomenon after inferior and medial orbital wall decompression in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). METHODS: This prospective interventional study included patients with moderate to severe non-active TAO, who underwent inferior and medial wall orbital decompression. Bell's phenomenon and adjusted Bell's phenomenon were evaluated at baseline and six months after surgery. Bell's phenomenon was assessed by holding the upper lid open during forced eyelid closure. Afterwards, the upward excursion, the distance between lower eyelid margin and lower corneal limbus, was measured. Adjusted Bell's phenomenon distance is defined as the difference between margin reflex distance two (MRD2) and Bell's phenomenon distance. RESULTS: Thirty TAO patients, including 15 males (50%), with a mean age of 43.6 ± 11.6 years, were enrolled. The distance of Bell's phenomenon significantly decreased after surgery by an average of 3.25 ± 1.57 mm (P < 0.001). In addition, the difference between pre- and post-operative distance of adjusted Bell's phenomenon was - 1.58 ± 2.13 (P < 0.001) corresponding to the worsening in the adjusted Bell's phenomenon. CONCLUSION: The result of our study demonstrated that Bell's phenomenon decreases significantly after inferior and medial wall decompression, which could be considered a complication of this form of orbital wall decompression in TAO.

Nonspecific orbital inflammation and thyroid eye disease, a rare comorbidity: report of two cases and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: To present the very rare comorbidity of developing non-specific orbital inflammation (NSOI) in two patients with histories of definite thyroid eye disease (TED). CASE PRESENTATION: Both patients complained of new-onset progressive proptosis although their thyroid disease was controlled and computed tomography scan revealed an intraorbital inflammatory mass. The pathological assessment indicated that both patients had developed fibrosing NSOI. Therefore, intravenous corticosteroids were administered. The mass regressed and the amount of proptosis was decreased in both patients. CONCLUSIONS: We reviewed all related cases in the literature and extracted their clinical and radiological characteristics for this paper. Ophthalmologists should consider TED and NSOI in patients with a new-onset complaint of proptosis. Despite rare comorbidity of TED and NSOI, it should be considered especially in patients with refractory proptosis, and lead to its further evaluation and prompt management.

Lacrimal gland prolapse in upper blepharoplasty.

Purpose: To report the characteristics of lacrimal gland prolapse among the patients who underwent upper blepharoplasty.Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, consecutive upper blepharoplasty patients with significant lacrimal gland prolapse were included. The degree of prolapse was measured as anterior protrusion of lacrimal gland from the orbital rim. Reposition of the lacrimal gland was performed by using non-absorbable sutures to fixate the gland to the periosteum of lacrimal fossa. In cases with unusually large lacrimal glands, an incisional biopsy of the gland was obtained. The orbital septum was left unsutured.Results: Twenty patients (19 females and one male) out of a total of 198 patients who underwent upper blepharoplasty (10.1%) had clinically significant lacrimal gland prolapse. Mean age was 54.8 ± 9.4 years (range, 31-69). Fourteen patients (70%) were asymptomatic. Anterior protrusion of lacrimal gland was measured to be 6.4 ± 1.2 mm (range, 5-10 mm) from the orbital rim. Incisional biopsy of the lacrimal gland was obtained in 10 patients (50%). Nine biopsies showed mild chronic inflammation and one revealed only normal lacrimal gland tissue. Postoperative course was uncomplicated in 15 patients (75%), with mild symptoms in the others and only one instance of mild unilateral recurrence of lacrimal gland prolapse.Conclusions: Reposition of a prolapsed lacrimal gland is a safe and effective adjunctive procedure in upper blepharoplasty, with minimal complications and acceptable postoperative outcome. Prolapsed lacrimal glands showed mild inflammation which could be due to repetitious movements of a lax gland, although various other etiologies can be involved.

Pressure ulcer following circumferential head dressing.

PURPOSE: To report four patients with forehead pressure ulcer (PU) following encircling head dressing and review the literature. METHODS: Uneventful endoscopic forehead lift procedure was performed with moderate skin elevation in three patients. Left upper eyelid crease incision was made to remove the sub-brow dermoid cyst uneventfully in one patient. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Mixed topical antibiotic and steroid ointments were placed on the incision sites before putting the encircling forehead dressing (using gauze and elastic bandage). The dressing was then removed on the first postoperative examination. RESULTS: Forehead and eyebrow PUs were observed on the first follow-up visit (16-72 h) after removing the dressing. Patients were otherwise healthy. They did not have significant pain or burning postoperatively. Management included pressure release, wound debridement, daily dressing, topical antibiotic and steroid, and silicone-based anti-scar cream. None had infected ulcer and all except one ended up with atrophic scar in the last follow-up (2-14 months). External pressure and shearing forces were assumed to be the main causative factors, even though reperfusion injury could contribute in the development of PU. CONCLUSION: Encircling head dressing can cause PU and result in scar formation in healthy immunocompetent patients. If there is a low risk of postoperative hematoma, encircling dressing should be avoided. Early loosening of the dressing and frequent examination of the skin are the best preventive and diagnostic measures. Treatment includes pressure removal, daily debridement, and topical medications.

Synkinesis Between Orbicularis Oculi and Procerus Muscles: Video Presentation of an Unusual Type of Aberrant Innervation after Cosmetic Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Synkinesis is a recognized complication following peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Different types of synkinesis have been described, with oral-ocular and ocular-oral synkinesis being the most common. Ocular-nasal synkinesis has been reported in two patients following cosmetic rhinoplasty. However, synkinesis between the orbicularis oculi and procerus muscles has not been reported by now. METHODS: This is an interventional case report. RESULTS: Two women, aged 42 and 37 years, presented with unilateral contraction of the medial eyebrow muscles (procerus) with spontaneous or voluntary blinking, 4 and 5 months after cosmetic rhinoplasty, respectively. Both were successfully treated with injection of botulinum toxin A. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical trauma is inevitable during every procedure, including rhinoplasty, and may damage the fine structures including branches of the facial nerve innervating the muscles. Gentle tissue handling may minimize iatrogenic injury to the fine motor branches of the facial nerve and prevent subsequent aberrant innervation and synkinesis. Botulinum toxin A injection can effectively, yet temporarily, resolve the unintentional contractions and provide significant patient comfort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the table of contents or the online instructions to authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Vector analysis of changes in corneal astigmatism following lateral tarsal strip procedure in patients with involutional ectropion or entropion.

PURPOSE: To perform vector analysis of changes in corneal astigmatism and evaluate changes in corneal topographic parameters following the lateral tarsal strip (LTS) procedure in patients with involutional ectropion or entropion. METHODS: Nineteen eyes of 15 patients (10 eyes with ectropion and 9 eyes with entropion) were included in this prospective nonrandomized interventional case series. Corneal topographic measurements (Tomey TMS 4a topographer, Tomey Corp, Nagoya, Japan) were performed at the baseline and 3 months after the LTS procedure. Relevant changes in the topographic astigmatism magnitude or axis (defined as a change more than 0.2 D or a shift in the axis greater than 10°, respectively) were analyzed following surgery. Polar astigmatic vector analysis was performed using the Astig PLOT software to calculate surgically induced astigmatism (SIA). RESULTS: There were no significant changes in average keratometry, steep and flat meridian keratometric values, absolute cylinder, surface regularity index and surface asymmetry index after the surgery (All P > 0.05). A relevant change in the magnitude of astigmatism and an axis change greater than 10° occurred in 14 (73.6%) and 10 (52.6%) of the operated eyes, respectively. Polar vector analysis revealed that SIA was 0.47 ± 1.34 D at 91 ± 23°, indicating induction of "with the rule" astigmatism following the surgery. CONCLUSION: The LTS procedure for the correction of involutional ectropion or entropion could induce relevant changes in corneal astigmatism, sufficient to affect visual function in short term. Longer-term follow-up is required to further characterize the effect of LTS procedure on the corneal topographic features.

Small-incision levator resection for correction of congenital ptosis: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of success of small-incision levator resection technique for correction of congenital ptosis. METHODS: Patients with congenital ptosis who were candidates for levator resection were enrolled if their levator function was not poor (< 5 mm). Incisions were made on upper eyelid crease with a length of 10-12 mm. After resection of adequate length of levator muscle, two sutures were used to fix it to tarsal plate. Sliding the incision to medial and lateral sides provided a wider field of access to allow the surgeon to place the sutures above nasal and temporal borders of limbus. Success was defined as margin reflex distance-1 (MRD-1) ≥ 3 mm and inter-eyelid difference of MRD-1 less than 1 mm, which was considered excellent if inter-eyelid difference was < 0.5 mm and good if the latter parameter was between 0.5 and 1 mm. RESULTS: Fifty eyes of 47 congenital ptosis cases (16 males and 31 females) were included. Average age was 21.7 ± 9.7 years (range, 3-44 years). Mean preoperative levator function and MRD-1 were 11.26 ± 2.79 and 1.78 ± 0.92 mm, respectively, while postoperative MRD-1 increased to 3.95 ± 0.82 mm (P < 0.001). The result was failure (undercorrection) in 12 cases (25.5%), good in 9 patients (19.2%), and excellent in 26 cases (55.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Small-incision levator resection has previously been studied for correction of aponeurotic ptosis and proved to yield successful outcome. The findings of this study suggest that small-incision technique can be effectively used in correction of congenital ptosis, as well.

Comparison of the success rate between monocanalicular and bicanalicular intubations in incomplete complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

This article compares the success rate between monocanalicular (MCI) and bicanalicular intubations (BCI) in incomplete complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and evaluate the factors responsible for the success of intubation. First, 99 patients with incomplete complex CNLDO underwent MCI (Monoka) or BCI (Crawford). Therapeutic success was defined as dye disappearance test grade 0-1 and complete resolution of previous symptoms at 12 months' follow-up. The success rates were compared between two groups. In all cases, the correlation of the age, gender, history of probing, and the presence of purulent discharges with the improvement in CNLDO symptoms were evaluated. 52 cases in the MCI and 47 cases in the BCI group were included. Then, 48 patients (48.5%) had history of probing. 26 patients (26.3%) had purulent discharges. The patients in the MCI group had lower success rate (59.6%) than the patients in the BCI group (74.4%) but the difference was not significant (p = 0.11). No complication occurred in the BCI group. In 4 cases (7.6%) in the MCI group, the tubes were lost before time of planned removal. In all cases, only preoperative absence of the pus was significantly correlated with success (p = 0.09 and OR = 0.39). BCI may be a better treatment for the patients with incomplete complex CNLDO. In silicone intubation for these cases, preoperative absence of purulent discharges could increase the success rate.

Pushed monocanalicular intubation versus probing for the treatment of simple and incomplete complex types of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children older than 18 months old.

This article compares the success rate of pushed monocanalicular intubation (Masterka) versus probing for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in children older than 18 months. In a non-random comparative study, 90 eyes with CNLDO underwent either Masterka (45 eyes) or probing (45 eyes). All procedures were performed by one oculoplastic surgeon. The tubes were removed 2 months after the operation. Complete resolution was defined as complete absence of clinical signs and symptoms of CNLDO at 6 months after the procedure. The mean age at the time of treatment was 28 ± 18.2 months for Masterka and 26.7 ± 18.6 months for probing group. Treatment success was achieved in 33 of 45 eyes (73.3%) in the Masterka group compared with 22 of 45 eyes (48.9%) in the probing group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.017). For the treatment of CNLDO, Masterka might be more effective than probing in children older than 18 months.

Medial rectus muscle elongation, a technique to treat very large-angle esotropia.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to describe the medial rectus muscle elongation (MRE) procedure to treat very large-angle esotropia (ET) with surgery on a lower number of muscles. METHODS: Twenty patients with very large-angle ET (more than 70 PD) underwent the MRE procedure. In the MRE procedure, the muscle was split longitudinally into three parts. The wider central part was sutured with 6/0 vicryl and disinserted. The distal end of the peripheral parts (still attached to the original insertion), 7-9 mm away from the insertion, was sutured to the proximal end of the central part. At the end of the procedure, the distance of the anastomosis site from the insertion was named as the final elongation. The dose-response effect of the final elongation was calculated in bilateral MRE cases. The mean of the dose-response effect, obtained in the binocular surgery group, was used in the monocular surgery group to calculate the resection effect of lateral rectus (LR) muscle. RESULTS: Eleven patients underwent bilateral MRE and nine patients underwent unilateral MRE and LR muscle resection. The mean preoperative far and near deviation was 94.10 ± 19.33 PD. The mean postoperative deviation was 14.60 ± 18.07 PD for far and 14.50 ± 18.23 PD for near deviation. In bilateral MRE cases, the mean dose-response effect of the elongation was 5.53 ± 0.67 PD/mm for far and 5.58 ± 0.69 PD/mm for near deviation. The mean LR muscle resection effect was 6.41 ± 1.99 PD/mm for far and 6.28 ± 1.93 PD/mm for near deviation. CONCLUSION: The MRE procedure seems an acceptable method to treat very large-angle ET with surgery on a lower number of muscles.

Cherubism: report of three cases and literature review.

PURPOSE: To report 3 cases of cherubism, one of whom underwent surgery for orbital manifestations, and to provide a literature review. CASE REPORTS: Our patients were normal at birth and developed painless enlarging of the cheeks and jaws when they were 4-5 years old. Ophthalmologic examinations showed mild proptosis, superior globe displacement and inferior scleral show in all cases. Cases 2 and 3 had lower lid skin discoloration. Computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated bilateral multicystic lesions in the maxilla and mandible with cortical thinning in all cases. In Case 3, left eye hyperglobus and anisometropic amblyopia was seen. In this case, the CT scan showed a round, well-defined and homogeneous mass, involving the anterior and superior walls of the maxillary sinus on the left side, extending into inferior orbit. Debulking of the mass was performed at the surgery. The pathologic findings were compatible with the diagnosis of giant cell reparative granuloma. He returned 1 year after surgery with recurrence of the mass. DISCUSSION: A few cases were reported in the literature with histopathologically proven orbital cherubism. To our knowledge, lower lid skin discoloration in Cases 2 and 3 and anisometropic amblyopia in case 3 were not described elsewhere in cherubism cases. We recommend that all cases with cherubism must be examined by an ophthalmologist to diagnose and treat possible orbital manifestations.

The prevalence of amblyogenic factors in children with persistent congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in children that underwent probing for persistent congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). METHODS: The medical records of children with CNLDO (after 1 year of age) that underwent probing were reviewed. Amblyopia risk factors, based on the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus referral criteria in 2013, were sought in the patientsʹ records before probing. The proportion of the patients with anisometropia >1.5 diopters (D) was separately calculated. In unilateral cases of CNLDO, sphere, astigmatism, and spherical equivalent of the eyes with CNLDO were compared with contralateral eyes in order to assess the effect of CNLDO on refractive error. In the follow-up examinations, the success of the probing or the need for additional procedures (Crawford intubation, Monoka intubation, or dacryocystorhinostomy) was evaluated. The prevalence of anisometropia between 'successful probing' and 'failed probing' groups was compared. RESULTS: A total of 433 cases were included in the study. 41 cases (9.46 %) had amblyopia risk factors. Twenty-four cases (5.5 %) had anisometropia >1.5 D (spherical or cylindrical). In unilateral cases of CNLDO, the sphere and spherical equivalent of the eyes with CNLDO were significantly greater than those of the contralateral eyes (p < 0.001 for both). Thirty-nine patients (9 %) required other interventions due to failure of probing (failed probing group). There were significantly more anisometropia prevalence in this group, compared with the successful probing group, at the initial examination (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of greater prevalence of anisometropia >1.5 D (compared with the prevalence in the general population) and significantly greater sphere and spherical equivalents in the eye with CNLDO (compared with contralateral eye) in unilateral cases with CNLDO, suggested some relationships between anisometropia and long-term untreated CNLDO. The finding of more anisometropia in failed probing cases may support the theory of structural abnormality as an explanation for the possible relationship between congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and anisometropia.

Conjunctival bacterial flora in nasolacrimal duct obstruction and its changes after successful dacryocystorhinostomy surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of conjunctival culture in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and its changes after successful dacryocystorhinostomy surgery. METHODS: In this prospective study, 71 adult patients with NLDO and 41 age- and sex-matched controls without NLDO were evaluated. The patients were divided in 2 groups based on clinical examination; group A with purulent regurgitation and group B without purulent regurgitation. Dacryocystorhinostomy surgery was performed, and the silicon tube was inserted in patients with upper lacrimal drainage system stenosis and when the lacrimal sac or nasal mucosal flap was inadequate for suitable anastomosis. Before surgery, microbiologic specimens were taken from the conjunctiva. Postoperative conjunctival sampling was continued weekly until the culture became negative or the colony count reached to the range of the control group. RESULTS: There were 38 and 33 patients in groups A and B, respectively. Silicone tube was inserted for 17 patients (23.9%). The culture was positive for bacterial growth in all cases. The conjunctival culture in the control group was positive in 17 eyes (41.4%). The mean count of colonies in a sample unit was 5274 ± 6300, 1167 ± 1504, and 9.5 ± 1.5 for group A, group B, and controls, respectively. The mean time of normalization of specimens was 3.3 ± 1.3 weeks (range 1-7). Pathogenic bacterial growth, higher colony counts, the presence of silicone tube, and purulent regurgitation were significantly associated with longer normalization time (p = 0.007, p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, and p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that after successful dacryocystorhinostomy surgery, a waiting period of 7 weeks is enough for conjunctival bacterial cultures to become negative or reach the level of the normal eyes.