Dacryocystitis Management

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

• The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends assessing visual acuity, as intraconal abscess formation can cause vision loss, and obtaining cultures at the time empiric antibiotic treatment is initiated, as routine treatment with any specific antibiotic may fail in up to one-third of patients given the broad range of causative organisms 1

Management Approach

• The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that if infection is improving on empiric therapy, continue current regimen even if isolated organisms show in vitro resistance, as clinical response supersedes laboratory susceptibility, and modify antibiotics to cover all isolated organisms if clinical response is inadequate 1
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends hospital admission for intravenous antibiotic administration in pediatric patients, as the risk of progression to orbital complications is significant 1

Dacryocystitis Management

Patient Conditions and Treatment

• Many patients have nasolacrimal duct obstruction and chronic dacryocystitis requiring surgical correction, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2, 3, 4