From the Research
The prevalence of dacryocystitis in India is approximately 19.5 cases per 10,000 patients, with chronic dacryocystitis being more common than acute cases, particularly in females and individuals from lower-middle socioeconomic backgrounds living in rural areas 1.
Key Findings
- The condition is more prevalent in women, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 3:1, and is most commonly seen in adults aged 30-60 years.
- Primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is the most common cause of dacryocystitis in India.
- Regional variations exist, with northern and eastern regions reporting higher prevalence rates.
- The condition is often associated with gram-positive bacterial infections, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, though gram-negative organisms are increasingly being identified in chronic cases 2.
Epidemiological Characteristics
- A prospective study conducted at a tertiary eye care center in Northern India found that the incidence rate of dacryocystitis was 15 cases per 10,000 patients, with chronic dacryocystitis accounting for 86.30% of cases 1.
- The majority of patients (96.23%) had primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, while 3.78% had secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
- The mean age of patients was 44.44 ± 18.95 years, with the majority belonging to the 3rd-6th decades of life.
Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
- Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications such as orbital cellulitis or abscess formation.
- Antibiotic therapy against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria should be administered prior to surgery, with gentamicin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid being effective against commonly implicated bacteria 3.