Etiology of Epiphora

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the common causes of epiphora in Korean patients and their response to subsequent management. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 180 patients who visited Kim’s Eye Hospital for epiphora between December 2017 and January 2019. This study included 320 eyes of 180 patients. RESULTS: In the 320 eyes of 180 patients, the most common etiology of epiphora was reflex tearing due to dry eye syndrome, which occurred in 167 eyes (52.19%). The other etiologies of epiphora included anatomical abnormality (68 eyes, 21.25%), multifactorial (60 eyes, 18.75%), functional epiphora (14 eyes, 4.38%), ocular surface disease (seven eyes, 2.19%), and eyelid abnormality (four eyes, 1.25%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common etiology of epiphora in Korean patients was reflex tearing due to dry eye syndrome, followed by lacrimal passage abnormality, multifactorial, functional epiphora, anterior segment disease, and eyelid malposition. Most patients with reflex tearing reported improvement in their symptoms after lubrication.