Clinical features and bacteriology of lacrimal canaliculitis in patients presenting to a tertiary eye care center in the Middle East

PURPOSE: To study the clinical features and bacteriology of canaliculitis in patients presenting to King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH), a major tertiary eye care center in the Middle East and compare the results to previous studies from other countries. METHODS: In this retrospective study, a chart review was performed of 131 patients (135 eyes) diagnosed with lacrimal canaliculitis who underwent treatment between January 1983 and December 2012 at KKESH. Data were evaluated on demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic studies, causative organisms, treatment rendered including medical or surgical interventions and rate of recurrence. RESULTS: There were 47 males and 84 females with a mean age of 64 years. The average duration of symptoms was 81.38 weeks. The most common presenting symptom was eye discharge (68.7%). The lower canaliculus was most commonly involved (49.6%) and 27 (20.6%) patients had upper and lower canaliculi involved. The left eye was most commonly involved in 71 patients (54.2%). Microbiological studies were available for 101 (77.1%) patients. Streptococcus species (48.2%) were the most commonly cultured organisms. Concretions were noted in 45 (34.4%) patients. Canaliculotomy was performed in 33 (25.2%) patients. Topical Penicillin G was the most commonly used antibiotic (65.7%). Seventeen (13%) patients had a recurrence of canaliculitis. CONCLUSION: Canaliculitis is frequently overlooked and misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis. Persistence or recurrence may complicate the condition. New organisms are emerging as the most common causative agents. Canaliculotomy with removal of all concretions is still considered the gold standard of treatment to eliminate the infection and improve patient symptoms.