Supernumerary Punctum With Its Own Distinct Canaliculus.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Congenital Disorders
• Anatomical Variations

Background:

• Supernumerary puncta are rare congenital lacrimal drainage anomalies.
• They arise from aberrant epithelial bud development during embryogenesis.
• These anomalies are often associated with other lacrimal or systemic conditions.

Observation:

• Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) is a key imaging modality.
• Previous reports typically describe a single common horizontal canaliculus for normal and supernumerary puncta.
• This case presents a unique anatomical configuration within the lacrimal drainage system.

Findings:

• The study details a rare case of supernumerary punctum.
• A significant finding is the presence of three separate canaliculi in one eye.
• Specifically, one upper canaliculus and two individual lower canaliculi were observed, originating from both the normal and supernumerary puncta.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of lacrimal drainage anomalies.
• It underscores the importance of detailed imaging for accurate diagnosis.
• Understanding such variations is crucial for surgical planning and managing lacrimal system disorders.