A 55-year-old woman presents with a 3-day history of painful, tense swelling over the left medial canthus with purulent discharge from the punctum on pressing the sac area. The most appropriate management in the acute phase is:

• A Immediate external dacryocystorhinostomy
• B Intralesional triamcinolone injection
• C Probing and irrigation of the nasolacrimal duct
• D Warm compresses, systemic antibiotics, and incision and drainage if abscess points ✓

Explanation

Acute dacryocystitis is managed with warm compresses, systemic antibiotics covering Staphylococcus, and incision and drainage if an abscess forms. Dacryocystorhinostomy is performed electively after the acute inflammation resolves. Probing and irrigation are contraindicated in the acute phase as they can spread infection. Intralesional steroids are inappropriate for an acute bacterial infection.

Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.