We continue our review of on punctal stenosis by providing a detailed discussion of management modalities, their complications, and outcomes. There is a significant change in the understanding of punctal and peripunctal anatomy, puncto-canalicular junction, and the lacrimal pump mechanisms. While the snip punctoplasty procedures are still practiced, there is an increasing trend toward nonincisional procedures. The nonincisional procedures in select cases appear to be equally effective as the incisional ones. Although simple to use, punctal plugs never became the mainstay of treatment because of design issues and the inability to address the coexisting canalicular stenosis. Placing stents only in the lower punctum in cases of upper and lower punctal stenosis should be discouraged, and management needs to address punctal stenosis and not which punctum is involved. Several types of stents are used in the management of punctal stenosis, mostly based on surgeon\'s preference. The benefits of adjuvant mitomycin C are uncertain. In view of literature on how stent biofilms can themselves cause chronic inflammation, placing them for prolonged periods should be reviewed and debated. Enhanced understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of punctal stenosis and addressing the current controversies in management would help standardize the therapeutic interventions available in the lacrimal armamentarium.

Lacrimal canaliculitis is an inflammation of the proximal lacrimal drainage system. It classically presents with symptoms of redness, mucopurulent discharge, medial canthal swelling, epiphora, and pouting punctum. Despite having classical clinical characteristics it is frequently misdiagnosed. The cause can be primarily due to various infectious agents or secondary mostly due to the use of punctal plugs. There are no universally accepted guidelines for the management of canaliculitis but different medical and surgical options have been employed with varying success rates and it is notorious for recurrences and failure to therapy. The present review summarizes the existing literature on lacrimal canaliculitis published over the past 15 years to provide an overview of this uncommon condition. A total of 100 articles published in the literature were anlaysed during this period. The mean age at diagnosis was 57.09 ± 16.91 years with a female preponderance. Misdiagnosis was common with many patients misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis and dacryocystitis. Primary canaliculitis was found to be more frequent than secondary with inferior canaliculus involved more commonly than the superior. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Actinomyces were the most common microbes isolated. Surgical management was employed in 74.25% of cases while medical management was done in 20.82% of cases. The review presents an insight into the complexities of canaliculitis, its diagnosis, and management which will further help to improve the understanding of this uncommon infection of the lacrimal system.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the geometric morphological differences of the lacrimal punctum by analyzing its shape in relation to age and sex in a normal population.
METHODS: 960 high-magnification slit-lamp images were obtained from 320 puncta of normal asymptomatic Indian individuals across eight decades of life. Using advanced geometric morphometric techniques, including Elliptic Fourier Analysis and Principal Component Analysis, the intricate details of the lacrimal punctum\'s shape in a diverse population sample were categorized by age and sex. High-resolution images of the lacrimal punctum underwent standardization for scale and orientation, followed by precise landmark identification and coordinate data extraction.
RESULTS: The geometric morphometry of the lacrimal punctum shows significant changes as one ages. However, the gender differences, in isolation, without consideration of age, remain subtle and are not pronounced. Interestingly, detailed Principal Component scores analysis revealed potential sex- and age-related variations specifically for the left and right lower puncta, which warrant further investigation. These changes could reflect unique aging changes in the proximal lacrimal drainage system.
CONCLUSIONS: The study is a starting point for geometric morphometric analysis of the lacrimal punctum and provides valuable insights into the punctal changes in size, orientation, and overall morphology across different age groups and between sexes. These findings highlight the significance of considering individual age-wise anatomical variations to better understand the lacrimal punctum.

Congenital arhinia-microphthalmos syndrome or BOSMA syndrome is an exceptionally rare clinical syndrome characterized by unilateral or bilateral complete absence of the nasal cavity associated with several craniofacial, ocular, and systemic anomalies. Lacrimal drainage anomalies are secondary to absent nasolacrimal duct and usually present as dilated lacrimal sac or mucoceles. While navigation-guided dacryocystorhinostomies into the contralateral nasal cavity are described for unilateral arhinia, the way forward for the complete absence of the nose and nasal cavity is still unclear. A multidisciplinary team from the specialties of genetics, plastic surgery, ophthalmic plastics and reconstructive surgery, otorhinolaryngology, and endocrinology should get involved very early on for better continuity of care.

OBJECTIVE: To study the structural and dynamic alterations in the lacrimal sac vasculature of patients with congenital, primary, and secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstructions (CNLDO, PANDO, SANDO) and patients with acute dacryocystitis (AD) and failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 65 consecutive lacrimal sacs following their complete exposure during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. High magnification chromo endoscopy and changes in effective spectral response was achieved using the Storz professional image enhancement system (SPIES®). Structural characteristics studied include vascular arrangement, superficial and deep vessels, vessel calibers on cut section, abnormal branching, localized and generalized dilatations and pathologies like varices. Flow characteristics in different caliber vessels and their alterations were assessed in Spectra A mode of SPIES®.
RESULTS: Distinct vascular alterations were noted in several lacrimal disorders. Vascular dilatations differed between the fundus and the body segments of the lacrimal sac, except in cases of traumatic SANDO and prior failed DCRs. 23% (7/30) of PANDO sacs showed peri sac varices and severe tortuosity. The flow in the dilated vessels was either very slow or showed intermittent backflow. Moderate dilatation of peri sac venous plexus with distinct surface linear vessels was noted in CNLDO. The cut surface of the sac wall and luminal surface differentially demonstrated several vascular patterns like speckled, scattered, branched loops, and skip areas in various diseased states.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study found distinct alterations of lacrimal sac vasculature in several lacrimal drainage disorders and provides impetus to the vascular theory for pathogenesis of PANDO.

UNASSIGNED: Lacrimal bypass is the creation of a fistula connecting the conjunctiva with the lacrimal sac or nasal cavity. Bypass is indicated in canalicular obstruction or agenesis; sac absence, destruction or prior excision; lacrimal pump failure; or dacryocystorhinostomy failure. We aim to review the various techniques that have been developed over the last century for lacrimal bypass.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a comprehensive literature review of techniques which have focused on creating a conduit extending from the conjunctiva or canaliculi to the lacrimal sac, or extending that bypass to the nasal cavity bypass.
UNASSIGNED: The main techniques reviewed include canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy, conjunctivodacryocystostomy, conjunctivorhinostomy, conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy, and conjunctivoductivodacryocystorhinostomy.
UNASSIGNED: Lacrimal bypass surgery has evolved due to innovation in microsurgical techniques, instruments and materials. Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with Jones tube insertion is the predominant bypass technique, reflecting a culmination of historical developments. Understanding the variety of lacrimal bypass techniques is important for exploring alternative options when necessary.

UNASSIGNED: To investigate the utility of a hand-held digital otoscope for nasal endoscopy and as a pedagogy tool for residents and fellows in patients undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.
UNASSIGNED: A digital otoscope (MS450-NTE, Teslong Inc., USA) comprising a digital screen device and a connectible camera probe was used for performing nasal endoscopy. Inspection of nasal cavities was performed pre-, intra-, and post-operatively in sequential patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, who underwent DCR or lacrimal probing. Images (1920 × 1080 pixels) and videos (1280 × 720 pixels) were captured. The device was also used for training residents and fellows in performing nasal endoscopy, and to teach basic concepts.
UNASSIGNED: The digital otoscope could be used for routine outpatient nasal examination and for performing minor procedures. 53.8% (n = 13) of ophthalmology trainees had never observed nasal endoscopy and 84.6% could not identify more than one major structure correctly prior to the current training. Post-training, all trainees could independently perform nasal endoscopy with the device and 76.9% identified all structures correctly.
UNASSIGNED: A digital otoscope with a camera probe is a handy tool for nasal endoscopy and pedagogy. Low-cost gadgets such as this device can effectively be used for performing outpatient nasal endoscopy when expensive endoscopes are unavailable and in peripheral healthcare centers.

UNASSIGNED: To study cases of hardware-associated secondary acquired lacrimal duct obstructions (SALDO) and the role of computed tomography dacryocystography (CT-DCG) scans in its diagnosis and management.
UNASSIGNED: Retrospective, interventional case review of four patients diagnosed as Hardware-associated SALDO, with primary maxillofacial repair performed elsewhere, were analyzed. The mean age was 36.5 years (range: 22-74 years), three of them being males. Left and right lacrimal systems were equally involved. Epiphora, swelling and discharge were the main presenting features. Three lacrimal sacs and nasolacrimal ducts on CT-DCG showed the screws of the orbital fracture plate directly piercing their walls, whereas a single case showed the sac displaced and pierced by the medial side of the orbital floor implant. Two cases underwent dacryocystorhinostomy with intubation, and the remaining two had to undergo dacryocystectomy due to extensive damage. Post-operatively all four cases were doing well at a mean follow-up of 2 months.
UNASSIGNED: The present series highlights the role of CT-DCG in delineating spatial relationship of lacrimal drainage system with the surrounding structures, facilitating planning as well as choice of surgery, and anticipating the intraoperative challenges. It also signifies importance of interdisciplinary coordination between oculoplastic and maxillofacial surgeons to avoid iatrogenic trauma to the lacrimal drainage system.

OBJECTIVE: To report the techniques and outcomes of virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR)-assisted powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in extremely complex lacrimal drainage obstructions.
METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized clinical study was performed in complex syndromic congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and post-traumatic secondary acquired lacrimal duct obstruction (SALDO) in the setting of Le Fort fractures. All patients underwent preoperative planning in VR and intraoperative planning with a step ahead with MR assistance during the surgery. Surgery was supported by mixed reality intraoperative guidance with the use of the prearranged 3D models and real-time-rendered digital models. Parameters assessed include demographics, clinical presentation, complexities of the nasolacrimal duct obstruction, preoperative and intraoperative utility of VR and MR models, surgical techniques, complications, and outcomes.
RESULTS: The technique is described as a proof of concept in challenging situations with Apert syndrome and traumatic SALDOs with gross malposition of the sac, and gross nasal and lacrimal anatomical deformities. The VR models helped the surgeon to assess the details of the altered anatomy preoperatively to plan an appropriate approach. Intraoperatively, MR models were present in the surgeon\'s view without disturbing the endoscopic procedure. Intermittently, the surgeon could pull any of the models virtually present in the operating room, slice them, rotate them, and intricately study the alterations in a stepwise manner, as the surgery proceeds.
CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality and mixed reality-assisted powered endoscopic DCR can be an alternate approach reserved for extremely challenging cases of complex syndromic CNLDOs and post-traumatic SALDOs.
METHODS: Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

UNASSIGNED: To study the metagenomics of the microbes isolated from the lacrimal sac in patients with failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
UNASSIGNED: A prospective study was performed on 10 consecutive patients with failed DCR. Lacrimal sac samples were obtained for metagenomic analysis during the revision endoscopic DCR. The samples were collected intraoperatively after a full-length lacrimal sac marsupialization and immediately transported on ice to the laboratory. A whole shotgun metagenome sequencing was performed on the IlluminaTM platform following DNA extraction and library preparation. The downstream analysis of the samples was performed using various software packaged in the Squeeze Metapipeline v1.3.0 and marker gene-based metagenomic phylogenetic analysis using MetaPhlAn4.
UNASSIGNED: The five major phyla identified across the samples of failed DCR include Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria (Figure 1). The prevalent species include Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas juntendi, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acinetobacter ursingii, Citrobacter koseri, and Cutibacterium acnes (Figure 2). Among the other organisms identified, few were from genera candida and mezorhizobium. Among the viruses, the most abundant was the BeAn 58058 virus. It was interesting to note the occasional presence of plasmodium and toxoplasma species. The functional category distribution of KEGG (Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) data showed microbial metabolism to be the most involved function, followed by cellular processes.
UNASSIGNED: This is the first whole metagenome sequencing of the lacrimal sac contents from failed DCR patients. The organisms identified varied significantly from those isolated from patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) using similar techniques and reflect altered lacrimal microbiota in surgically unsuccessful DCRs.