Correlation of the fluorescein dye disappearance test and endoscopic dye transit time in patients after surgery for nasolacrimal duct obstruction

J Fr Ophtalmol. 2024 Dec 19;48(3):104388. doi: 10.1016/j.jfo.2024.104388. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Purpose: To correlate fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) grades and endoscopic dye transit times (EDTT) in patients with patent osteotomies after nasolacrimal duct obstruction surgery (NLDO).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: All adult patients with patent osteotomies post-external dacryocystorhinostomy (Ex-DCR) or post-endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR) for NLDO were included in this cross-sectional investigation. Patients with dry eye and endoscopically unidentified osteotomy sites were excluded from the study. The FDDT grade, EDTT and lacrimal symptom questionnaire (Lac-Q) scores were documented for all patients.

Results: This study included 39 patients. Nineteen had undergone EDCR, twenty Ex-DCR. The FDDT grade and EDTT were positively correlated (r=0.32, P=0.045). The mean Lac-Q score was not correlated with FDDT grade (r=-0.01, P=0.951) or EDTT (r=0.07, P=0.669). There were no significant differences in the FDDT grade, EDTT, Lac-Q score or ostial characteristics between Ex-DCR and EDCR.

Conclusion: FDDT grading correlates with EDTT, suggesting that these tests may be used interchangeably based on the clinician's ease of access and instrumentation. There was no correlation between the symptoms of lacrimal outflow obstruction with objective evidence of drainage.

Keywords: Dacryocystorhinostomie; Dacryocystorhinostomy; Disparition du colorant fluorescéine; Endosopic dye transit time; Fluorescein dye disappearance; Lacrimal questionnaire; Nasolacrimal duct obstruction; Obstruction du canal lacrymo-nasal; Questionnaire lacrymal; Temps de transit du colorant endosopique.