Two rare forms of slit lacrimal canaliculus; Self-inflicted and congenital

Abstract

Lacrimal punctal or canalicular slitting is usually seen as a complication of bicanalicular silicon intubation and, except that, is rarely encountered. Here we report two cases of slit canaliculus due to self-inflicted trauma and congenital developmental anomaly and discuss the relevant literature. Twenty-five-year-old male patient with psychotic disorder presented with bilateral upper canalicular slitting and lower punctal stenosis as well as symblepharon and restrictive ocular myopathy due to selfmutilation with sharp objects. The other patient was a 70-year-old female who had a mucosal opening from the punctum to the medial canthus in all four canaliculi. Although slit canaliculus constitute a significant anatomic deformity, it did not cause lacrimal complaints in both patients.