This study was performed to evaluate the changes in tear film and ocular surface after dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Forty subjects who showed successful results at three months after endoscopic DCR were investigated. The changes in tear breakup time (BUT), basal secretion test (BST), corneal sensitivity test (CST), tear clearance rate (TCR) and keratoepitheliopathy (KEP) were evaluated.

The mean age was 57.4±13.2 years (29~77 years). Preoperative BST and BUT in eyes which underwent DCR were 13.21±3.79 mm and 8.20±2.30 seconds, respectively. Three months after the operation, the respective values were 9.13±3.77 mm ( p =0.01) and 6.27±2.20 seconds ( p =0.03). Preoperative CST, TCR and KEP in eyes which underwent DCR were 57.89±4.18 mm, 3.26±0.91 and 0.12±0.53, respectively. Three months after the operation, the respective values were 57.75±3.55 mm ( p =0.32), 3.04±0.87 ( p =0.08) and 0.13±0.54 ( p =0.08). No changes were observed between the preoperative and postoperative tear parameters in fellow eyes.

The changes in tear film parameters including BST and BUT should be considered in patients who receive endoscopic DCR.