Caruncular Dacryops After Cataract Surgery With Histopathological Characterization

Caruncular dacryops is a rare cyst of lacrimal tissue most commonly found in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland. The exact cause of dacryops is unclear, although it may be congenital or associated with trauma, infection, or inflammation. The pathophysiology and histology of a caruncular dacryops of the left lacrimal gland in a 68-year-old woman is reported. The patient presented 3 months after a cataract surgery with symptoms of irritation and pruritus of the left eye. A 6- × 6-mm clear cyst of the lacrimal gland prolapsing into the lateral fornix was noted on physical exam. Histological examination of the cyst showed a double layer of flat cuboidal epithelium surrounded by fibrous tissue with minor lacrimal glands present. Periodic acid Schiff-diastase and mucicarmine staining showed the presence of goblet cells dispersed in the epithelial cells. Complete excision of the cyst is the treatment of choice for most caruncular dacryops, and our case remains without recurrence after excision. This case highlights the clinical and histological presentation of caruncular dacryops and raises awareness of their incidence following presumed trauma during cataract surgery.