Abstract:Aim: The study aims to investigate the epidemiology of epiphora at one of the largest tertiary care hospitals in Dubai. This is the first study in the United Arab Emirates investigating the epidemiology of epiphora and its associated factors in patients referred to oculoplastic clinic.
Methods: This retrospective study includes all patients referred to oculoplastic clinic from January 2012 to September 2015. A full ophthalmic examination was performed to assess dry eye syndrome, ocular surface.
Results: A total of 116 patients were included in the study, with females comprising 61.2% of the sample size and a mean age of 34 years. Around 54.3% had bilateral epiphora, while unilateral tearing was more prevalent among the younger male patients with a mean age of (11.05±17.04, p<0.05). Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (NLDO) was the most common cause of epiphora in children (p<0.001). In the older population, other identified causes included eyelid malposition, reflex tearing and punctal stenosis. Congenital NLDO was found to be unilateral in a ratio of (4:1). In contrast, eyelid malposition was the most common observed in the elderly population with a ratio of (8:1, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Although the prevalence of epiphora increases with age, it is also notably prevalent in the pediatric population as congenital NLDO. The increased incidence of dacryocystitis and reflex tearing can be attributed to the hot, humid, and dry geographic area selected for the data collection. Management of epiphora depends on the underlying etiology.
