Diagnosis and incidence of lacrimal calculi

Lacrimal sac calculi are a common and often unrecognized cause of chronic epiphora. Of 94 consecutive dacryocystorhinostomies, 16 lacrimal calculi were found. Symptoms were consistent with lacrimal obstruction and were unresponsive to previous probings and antibiotics. Dacryoliths may be suspected by their intermittent symptoms and by the inconsistent findings at irrigation. Surgical removal of the stone along with a dacryocystorhinostomy has effected a cure in all nine patients.