Histopathologic changes in punctal stenosis. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • PURPOSE: To describe the pathologic changes in punctal stenosis by reporting the histopathologic findings in a series of punctoplasty specimens. METHODS: Observational retrospective chart review. Electronic health records of all patients having punctoplasty over a 2-year period at an academic oculoplastic practice were examined. All patients whose records included pathology reports were entered into a database. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients, representing 30 eyes, had pathology records in the electronic health records. Patients were 75% women and had an average age of 65 (19-88) years. Associated conditions included blepharitis (71%), dry eye syndrome, or Meibomian gland dysfunction (63%). Histopathologic examination demonstrated chronic inflammation in 11 eyes (36.7%), fibrosis in 7 eyes (23.3%), chronic inflammation and fibrosis in 4 eyes (13.3%), squamous metaplasia in 3 eyes (10%), normal conjunctival mucosa in 3 eyes (10%), and Actinomyces israelii canaliculitis in 2 eyes (6.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all histopathologic specimens revealed findings consistent with inflammation, fibrosis, or both. These findings provide evidence to support the hypothesis that the many etiologic causes of punctal stenosis are linked by a common pathophysiologic mechanism involving inflammation.

publication date

  • January 1, 2013

Research

keywords

  • Blepharitis
  • Dry Eye Syndromes
  • Eyelid Diseases
  • Lacrimal Duct Obstruction
  • Meibomian Glands

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84880069820

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/IOP.0b013e31828a92b0

PubMed ID

  • 23552606

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 29

issue

  • 3