AIM:To observe the curative effect of nasolacrimal duct obstruction treated by nasolacrimal duct stent assisted with nasal endoscope.

METHODS:Thirty-six cases(40 eyes)with nasolacrimal duct obstruction were placed in nasolacrimal stent assisted with nasal endoscope. Munk J was used to evaluate the degree of epiphora. The percentage of stent patency during long-term follow up was estimated by means of Kaplan-Meier analysis. Survival curves of the different etiology of obstruction were compared using log-rank test.

RESULTS:The overall technical success rate of stent placement was 97%. During a mean 19mo follow up, 30 cases(34 eyes)were gotten completed case records. The total effective rate was 71%. Kaplan - Meier survival curves showed that the average overall patency time was estimated for 22.69±2.30mo, 95% CI:18.18-27.19mo. Treatment with lacrimal duct stent was more successful for nasolacrimal duct obstruction without dacryocystitis than for that with dacryocystitis(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:Nasolacrimal duct stent implantation assisted with nasal endoscope is a safe and effective method for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The patency of idiopathic obstruction after treatment is better than that of nasolacrimal duct obstruction with chronic dacryocystitis.