Relationship of septal deformity to snuffly noses, poor feeding, sticky eyes and blocked naso-lacrimal ducts.

Septal deformity is part of a facial deformity and is considered to be due to a combination of irregular developmental growth of the palatal folds, and external pressure on the maxilla, during pregnancy or parturition. The incidence and types of septal deformity in 2380 Caucasian births are compared with those of 2112 adult skulls of different ethnic groups. The close association of septal deformity with snuffliness, disturbed feeding and sticky eyes, and the relief of symptoms by manipulation of the palate and septum is described. Puffy eyes are due to severe birth pressures and may lead to moist, then sticky, then infected eyes. This occurs 2 to 3 days after birth and is to be distinguished from the severe eye infections in the first 24 h from contamination at birth. A high incidence of septal deformity occurs in sticky eyes and a close association with the type of deformity and the side of the infection has been found. The presence of septal deformity and the close correlation with the affected side has been found in every case (100%) of continued epiphora requiring probing and syringing of the naso-lacrimal ducts (NLDs). Manipulation of the palate and septum, often with medial dislocation of the anterior end of the inferior turbinates, has been of considerable help in the treatment of continued epiphora. Some aetiological factors in NLD obstruction are described.