Dacryoendoscopy and Lacrimal Pathologies

Abstract

Dacryoendoscopy is a procedure utilizing microendoscopic techniques to visualize the entire lacrimal system from the puncta to the inferior meatus [1–5]. It is gaining firm ground and increasing popularity for expanding indications in lacrimal disorders thus having many diagnostic and potential therapeutic implications [1–5]. The list of potential indications for dacryoendoscopy includes few common pathologies like acquired internal punctal stenosis, canalicular stenosis, partial and complete canalicular obstructions, assessing mucosal inflammations and synechiae in chronic dacryocystitis, dacryocele, canalicular concretions, and dacryolithiasis. Uncommon pathologies can also be diagnosed and include lacrimal diverticula, foreign bodies, canalicular wall dysgenesis, and lacrimal drainage tumors. Potential therapeutic indications could include punch biopsies of suspected lesions, microdrill dacryoplasty, balloon canaliculoplasty, laser dacryoplasty, and dacryoendoscopy-guided intralesional injections (e.g., interferon alpha 2b for squamous papillomas) [3–5].