Stenotic puncta: microsurgical punctoplasty.

The successful long-term management of epiphora caused by punctal stenosis presents a difficult problem for the ophthalmologist. The purpose of this paper is to describe a successful procedure that respects lacrimal excretory anatomy and provides excellent results in the management of epiphora. Twenty-three patients (32 eyes) with punctal stenosis underwent excision of the stenotic puncta followed by microscopic externalization of the vertical canaliculus. At 6 months and 1 year, only one patient complained of tearing; at 2 years, three eyes experienced tearing and were successfully dilated; no eyes experienced tearing at 4 years. Only one patient experienced a dry eye, which was managed with topical lubricants. Microscopic punctoplasty thus provides excellent long-term management of epiphora from punctal stenosis with minimal disruption of anatomy.