Lacrimal Canalicular Wall Dehiscence/Thinning Found in Adults: A Case Series

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with lacrimal canalicular wall dehiscence/thinning from January 2020 to January 2024 and found three patients. Two patients were male, and the other patient was female. Patient ages ranged from 53 to 82 years. None of the patients had a history of ocular trauma, congenital anomaly, or other ocular diseases except for cataract. All patients complained of epiphora, and the duration of symptom ranged from 15 months to 10 years. Unilateral involvement of the lower canaliculus and isolated single wall involvement affecting only the canalicular roof were observed in all patients. The roof was dehiscent in one case and thinned out in the other two cases. The dehiscent canaliculus was closed by sutures, and the thinned-out canalicular wall of one patient was covered using a conjunctival flap. However, recurrences were noted at two and five months after surgery.

Keywords: adults; canalicular wall; dehiscence; epiphora; thinning.

Figure 1. Slit-lamp photos

A: case 1, B: case 2, C: case 3 Arrows indicate lacrimal canalicular wall dehiscence or thinning. The arrowhead indicates punctal obstruction, and the asterisk indicates caruncle and plica hypertrophy.