Indications, complications and results with silicone stents

Fifty-two patients with complicated lacrimal problems were treated with silicone stents. Our overall success rate, judging from a minimum 6-month follow-up, was 40% in these complicated cases, accepting only positive dye tests as our criteria for success. We divided these cases into six groups with successes ranging from 0--68%. Twenty-nine percent of patients had complications related to their stents. While silicone stents are probably the most important recent advance in lacrimal surgery, one must be aware of their indications, limitations and complications.