Lacrimal Gland Volume Changes in Unilateral Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Obstruction.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether unilateral primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) causes Schirmer score and lacrimal gland volume changes in the contralateral non-PANDO eye.

METHODS: Sixteen unilateral female PANDO and 16 female controls were enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were orbital trauma, inflammation, infection, tumor involvement or infiltrative diseases, history of ocular surgery, ocular surface disorder, systemic drug use that interferes with tear secretion, and chronic use of topical eye drops. Bilateral lacrimal gland volumes were measured in computed tomography (CT) images of the participants. A Schirmer test without anesthesia was also performed on each participant.

RESULTS: As there was no significant difference between the right and left eye values for Schirmer and gland size (P > 0.05), both eyes of the control group were enrolled in the study. The groups were age matched and the mean lacrimal gland was 0.479 cm3 in the PANDO as well as the contralateral non-PANDO side, which was statistically smaller compared to the control eyes (0.580 cm3) (P = 0.04). The mean Schirmer scores in the same order were 18.5 ± 7.1 mm, 13.2 ± 8.9 mm, and 21.3 ± 10.5 mm, respectively. Non-PANDO side Schirmer scores were lower compared to the other two groups, but statistical significance was present for the control group (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the control group, lacrimal gland volumes were bilaterally smaller in unilateral PANDO patients. Schirmer scores were statistically lower in the contralateral non-PANDO side compared to the controls.