To investigate the clinical characteristics and management of lacrimal gland ductal disease, a rare disease often mistaken for other diseases.

A retrospective chart review of 11 patients (11 eyes, 5 males, 6 females) diagnosed with lacrimal ductal disease between March 2007 and April 2013 was performed.

Among 11 eyes in 11 patients, 4 were diagnosed with dacryops and 7 with lacrimal gland ductulitis initiated by dacryolith. The mean age of the subjects was 47.9 years (range, 30-80 years). Lacrimal gland ductulitis patients received treatment for conjunctivitis or hordeolum for several months. Four cases involved the right eye and 7 cases involved the left eye. Symptoms included foreign body sensation, pus-like discharge and palpable mass. Biopsy was performed in 3 cases and showed no specific findings. Patients with dacryops underwent marsupialization, whereas patients diagnosed with lacrimal gland ductulitis underwent excision and dacryolith curettage. During the 2-month follow-up period, all cases showed no signs of recurrence or complications.

Lacrimal gland ductal disease can be mistaken for other diseases such as conjunctivitis, hordeolum, or orbital cyst, thus requiring accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.