Early and late assessment of internal drainage of chronic dacryocystitis.

To evaluate the efficacy of internal drainage of a lacrimal abscess, we treated 10 patients with pyocele of the lacrimal sac, who did not want to undergo operative intervention. A temporary nasolacrimal stent was placed in the nasolacrimal duct, and the pussy material was collected for microbiological examination to adjust the preliminary antibiotic treatment which was given systemically and locally. The stents were removed after the infection had subsided clinically.

Long-term course of tear gland function in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjögren's syndrome.

Aims: To assess the course of tear gland function of patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) associated with primary (KCS-PSS) or secondary Sjögren's syndrome (KCS-SSS), and of patients with KCS not related to Sjögren's syndrome (KCS-NS).

Methods: In 106 patients with dry eye an ophthalmic diagnosis of KCS was made. Subsequent evaluations revealed a diagnosis of KCS-PSS in 31, KCS-SS in 19, and KCS-NS in 56 patients.