Nasolacrimal obstruction concomitant to cataract: diagnosis and management in the preoperative period of cataract surgery.

Purpose: Concomitant nasolacrimal duct obstruction can occur in cataract carriers, which increases the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of Brazilian cataract surgeons on the diagnosis and management of cataracts associated with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Methods: This survey was based on a questionnaire involving Brazilian cataract surgeons that was conducted from March to April 2018. Data were collected on the participant's profile, time and experience in ophthalmic practice, previous training in diagnosis and management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and background with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. All data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed according to the frequency of occurrence.

Results: Ninety-one ophthalmologists answered the questionnaire. Most (63.7%) had been performing cataract surgery for >10 years, and most (84.6%) received training to diagnose and handle nasolacrimal duct obstruction during their medical residence training. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction was investigated in the preoperative period of the cataract by lacrimal sac expression test (53.8%) or by irrigation of the tear pathways (23.1%). Nasolacrimal duct obstruction was treated with antibiotic eye drops by 47.2% of respondents. Seventy-eight percent of surgeons indicate usually performing lacrimal surgery prior to the intraocular surgery, waiting for 4 to 6 weeks to proceed with the cataract surgery. The procedure of choice for treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction prior to cataract surgery was dacryocystorhinostomy (88.4%). Most participants recognized the need for a protocol to assist in the detection and management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in cataract carriers.

Conclusion: Improvement in the diagnosis and management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction concomitant to cataract is needed, as this is a risk factor for endophthalmitis.