Comparison Between Mini Monaka,Perforated Plugs and 3-Snip Punctoplasty in Punctal Stenosis.

Punctal stenosis is a common disorder of the punctum. It is an important cause of epiphora and accounted for 8% of all patients presenting with epiphora and 3% of all lacrimal drainage disorders. Although numerous factors have been implicated as causative agents, the exact pathogenesis is still elusive. The widely believed hypothesis that histological studies have supported is a common mechanism involving inflammation leading to fibrosis and subsequent stenosis .A stenotic punctum can be easily diagnosed by slit-lamp examination, while probing and irrigation of the lacrimal pathway is usually required to exclude a more distal obstruction There are no uniformly acceptable guidelines for the management of punctal stenosis. Several modalities described include punctal dilatation, 1-snip punctoplasty, 2-snip punctoplasty, 3-snip punctoplasty, rectangular 3-snip punctoplasty, 4-snip punctoplasty, punctal punching with Kelly's or Rsess punch, punctoplasty with mitomycin C, balloon punctoplasty, balloon puncta-canaliculoplasty, and inserting perforated punctal plugs, self-retaining bicanaliculata stents, or Mini-Monaka . The mini-monaka is a silicone post canalicular stent designed to repair canalicular lacerations. It is designed to fit snugly into the punctum and ampulla without any suturing .A perforated punctal plug can be put into the opening of the tear canal to allow drainage of tears. These are very small silicone arrowhead shaped tubes It is important to note that there is increasing evidence about the benefits of minimally invasive modalities like Mini-Monaka. the non-surgical dilation can be performed as an office procedure .