An association between acquired epiphora and the signs and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis: a prospective case-control study.

Background: It has been suggested that chronic rhinosinusitis may lead to epiphora because of inflammatory edema at the nasal end of the nasolacrimal duct and that treatment of the underlying nasal disease may obviate the need for dacryocystorhinostomy. The aim of this study was to establish whether or not there is an association between the signs and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis and a complaint of epiphora in a blinded, prospective case-control study.

Methods: A consecutive series of 15 adult patients presenting to the ophthalmology department with acquired epiphora were compared with 29 patients presenting with chronic open-angle glaucoma over the same study period.