Purpose To investigate the effects of lacrimal drainage obstructions on the lacrimal gland activity and if there exists a potential link between the two. Methods Direct assessment of the lacrimal gland activity from the palpebral lobe was performed in consecutive patients diagnosed with unilateral primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO), along with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), non-invasive tear break up time (NIBUT; Oculus K5M), tear meniscus height and Schirmer I. The primary outcome measure was the difference in the tear flow rate between the eye with PANDO and the contralateral uninvolved eye. Results Thirty patients (median age, 45.5 years; 25 females) with unilateral PANDO had epiphora for a mean duration of 20 months. The mean OSDI score was 6.3. NIBUT (mean 11.56 vs 11.58 s; p=0.49) and Schirmer I values (mean 18.83 vs 19.4 mm; p=0.313) were not significantly different between PANDO and non-PANDO eyes. The morphology of the palpebral lobe (size 29.3 vs 28.6 mm2, p=0.41) and the number of lacrimal ductular openings (median 2 vs 2.5) were similar between the two eyes. The mean tear flow from the lacrimal glands of the PANDO side was significantly reduced compared with the contralateral uninvolved side (0.8 vs 0.99 µL/min; p=0.014)). Conclusion Tear flow rate from palpebral lobes of patients with unilateral lacrimal outflow obstruction shows a significant reduction compared with the contralateral side. The potential ways of communications between the tear drainage and the tear production mechanisms need to be explored further. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information.

中文翻译：

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泪道引流阻塞中的泪腺活动：探索泪液分泌和流出之间潜在的串扰

目的 探讨泪道引流阻塞对泪腺活动的影响以及两者之间是否存在潜在联系。方法 对连续诊断为单侧原发性鼻泪管阻塞 (PANDO) 的患者进行眼睑泪腺活动的直接评估，以及眼表疾病指数 (OSDI)、无创泪膜破裂时间 (NIBUT；Oculus K5M)、泪液半月板高度和 Schirmer I。主要结果指标是 PANDO 眼和对侧未受累眼之间泪液流速的差异。结果 30 名单侧 PANDO 患者（中位年龄 45.5 岁；25 名女性）溢泪平均持续时间为 20 个月。OSDI 平均得分为 6.3。PANDO 眼和非 PANDO 眼之间的 NIBUT（平均 11.56 vs 11.58 s；p=0.49）和 Schirmer I 值（平均 18.83 vs 19.4 mm；p=0.313）没有显着差异。两只眼睛的睑叶形态（大小 29.3 vs 28.6 mm2，p=0.41）和泪管开口数量（中位数 2 vs 2.5）相似。与对侧未受累侧相比，PANDO 侧泪腺的平均泪液流量显着减少（0.8 vs 0.99 µL/min；p=0.014））。结论单侧泪道流出道阻塞患者眼睑泪液流量较对侧显着降低。泪液排出和泪液产生机制之间潜在的沟通方式需要进一步探索。与研究相关的所有数据都包含在文章中或作为在线补充信息上传。