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Subject Area

Ophthalmology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate and compare the outcomes of bicanalicular self-retaining stent (SRS) versus rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty in the treatment of acquired lower punctal stenosis. Background Punctal stenosis is a common disorder and one of the most commonly encountered diseases that cause tearing. Visual disturbance occurs because of constant epiphora. Patients and methods This prospective randomized comparative study was carried on 65 eyes of 39 patients with acquired lower punctal stenosis. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the intervention, such as insertion of bicanalicular SRS (group A) and rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty (group B). Assessment of epiphora, punctal stenosis grading, and fluorescein dye disappearance test were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Patients were followed up for 6 months postoperatively. Results Group A, which included 34 eyes of 20 patients, showed anatomical success in 31 (91.2%) eyes and functional success in 32 (94.1%) eyes, whereas group B, which included 31 eyes of 19 patients, showed anatomical success in 26 (83.9%) eyes and functional success in 22 (71.0%) eyes. The difference in the functional success rate was clinically significant (P = 0.013). Conclusion Bicanalicular SRS achieves better results than rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty in the treatment of acquired lower punctal stenosis.

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