[Use of silicone implants in patients with stable epiphora]

Suggests a method of surgical treatment of patients suffering from stable epiphora due to pathologic changes in the internal third of the lacrimal canaliculi, hypertrophied valvular system of canalicular anastomosis or atonic lacrimal dots and lacrimal canaliculi. The operation consists of two stages: lacrimal canaliculus 'activation' and intubation tube explantation. Twenty-three operations making use of this technique were carried out in patients aged 22 to 75, good results were achieved in 20 cases. The technique is rather simple and does not require special surgical training. The functional and cosmetic results of the operation are satisfactory.