# Lacrimal Canalicular Wall Dehiscence/Thinning Found in Adults: A Case Series

## TL;DR

This case series reports three adult patients with a rare condition involving thinning or dehiscence of the lacrimal canalicular wall, leading to symptoms like excessive tearing.

## Contribution

The study presents the first documented cases of lacrimal canalicular wall dehiscence/thinning in adults without prior trauma or congenital anomalies.

## Key findings

- Three adult patients with lacrimal canalicular wall dehiscence/thinning were identified without a history of trauma or congenital issues.
- All patients experienced epiphora and had unilateral involvement of the lower canaliculus with isolated roof wall involvement.
- Surgical interventions showed recurrence in two patients at two and five months post-surgery.

## Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with lacrimal canalicular wall dehiscence/thinning from January 2020 to January 2024 and found three patients. Two patients were male, and the other patient was female. Patient ages ranged from 53 to 82 years. None of the patients had a history of ocular trauma, congenital anomaly, or other ocular diseases except for cataract. All patients complained of epiphora, and the duration of symptom ranged from 15 months to 10 years. Unilateral involvement of the lower canaliculus and isolated single wall involvement affecting only the canalicular roof were observed in all patients. The roof was dehiscent in one case and thinned out in the other two cases. The dehiscent canaliculus was closed by sutures, and the thinned-out canalicular wall of one patient was covered using a conjunctival flap. However, recurrences were noted at two and five months after surgery.