Epiphora with eyelid laxity.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of lower lid tightening procedures in the management of epiphora due to eyelid laxity.

METHODS: Retrospective audit of 75 eyes in 49 patients with lid laxity and no nasolacrimal obstruction, who underwent lower lid tightening procedures for epiphora between November 2001 and June 2003. Relief from epiphora was assessed at the last clinic visit following surgery and by telephone interview in March-April 2004.

RESULTS: Complete relief from epiphora persisted in 47 eyes (62.6%) as compared with 53 eyes (70.6%) at one month, and partial relief persisted in a further six eyes (8%). Eleven eyes (14.6%) with complete and five eyes (6.7%) with partial relief at discharge had recurrence of symptoms at follow-up. Mean follow-up time was 16.9 months. There was no statistically significant difference in relief between those with lateral and medial epiphora.

CONCLUSIONS: Lid tightening surgery is useful in alleviating epiphora in a significant number of patients with lid laxity but the effect does not always last.