The Effectiveness of Topical Steroid Instillation in Patients with Recently Developed Nasolacrimal Drainage Stenosis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of topical steroid instillation and associated factors in patients with recently developed nasolacrimal drainage stenosis. METHODS: The medical records of 108 eyes of 56 patients who received topical steroid for nasolacrimal drainage stenosis between January 2010 and June 2013 and who developed epiphora of a three-month duration were retrospectively reviewed. Evaluations were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months after instillation of topical steroid. Subjective symptoms, tear meniscus height, and fluorescein dye disappearance test results were noted at every follow-up visit; nasolacrimal irrigation and canalicular probing were also performed as needed. RESULTS: The cumulative improvements were 42.0% at 1 month and 51.0% at 3 months after treatment, and the mean period of symptomatic improvement was 3.8 +/- 1.9 weeks (range, 3-12 weeks). At the final follow-up visit, 56 (51.9%) of 108 eyes showed improved epiphora. Final improvement was observed in 63% (12 of 19 eyes) of idiopathic nasolacrimal drainage stenosis patients, in 100% (10 of 10 eyes) of docetaxel-treated patients, and in 43% (34 of 79 eyes) of S-1-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Instillation of topical steroids can be effective for nasolacrimal drainage stenosis and may prevent the need for invasive surgical treatment.