[History of endonasal microsurgery of lacrimal system]

The history and development of surgical treatment of lacrimal system from rhinological point of view was presented. The lacrimal drainage system has provoked great deal of investigation throughout history, because ophtalmologists couldn't attain persistent and permeable drainage between the lacrimal and the nose. The change came, when first Italian rhinologist Toti described external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), and later West performed endonasal DCR. The use of microscope and endoscope in rhinosurgery caused the significant progress also in lacrimal surgery. The development of endonasal microsurgery enabled to introduce other non invasive procedure, such as endoscopic laser dacryocystorhinostomy or transcanalicular dacryo-cystorhinostomy (endo-canalicular DCR). One of the newest method in the treatment of complete and partial obstruction of lacrimal drainage system is also baloon dacryocystoplasty.