[On the operative treatment of tear opening atresia (author's transl)].

The authors describe a method of identifying and opening tear canaliculi when the openings are closed. For this purpose the common canaliculus under the medial palpebral ligament by the lateral wall of the tear sac is exposed by lamellar dissection under the microscope and opened. The roof of the tear point (where the tear opening should be) is excised over conical sounds laid retrogradely. Finally a vein catheter is placed from the upper and lower tear duct openings through the tear sac into the nasal cavity and left in situ for 12 weeks.