Station 12 — Lacrimal Regurgitation Test
🎯 Candidate Task
Demonstrate the lacrimal regurgitation test on this patient and state how you would interpret the result. Explain briefly what the test assesses.
⚡ Model Station Answer
Purpose: I would assess the lacrimal drainage system for regurgitation suggestive of nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Technique: I would apply gentle, firm pressure over the lacrimal sac area and observe the upper and lower puncta.
Positive result: Reflux of clear, mucoid or mucopurulent material through a punctum is a positive test and supports distal lacrimal drainage obstruction.
Negative result: No reflux is seen on pressure; however, a negative test alone does not exclude partial or functional obstruction.
🔎 How to Perform / Approach
- Prepare: Introduce yourself, confirm the patient, explain the test, obtain consent and perform hand hygiene.
- Position: Seat the patient comfortably at your eye level with good illumination and expose the medial canthal region.
- Inspect: Look for watering, discharge, swelling around the lacrimal sac and the appearance of the puncta.
- Locate the sac: Trace the inferior orbital margin medially toward the anterior lacrimal crest; the lacrimal sac lies immediately behind this region near the medial canthus.
- Compress: Place the index finger over the lacrimal sac area and apply gentle but firm pressure in an upward and medial direction.
- Observe and interpret: Watch both puncta for reflux and note whether any expressed material is clear, mucoid or mucopurulent. State whether the test is positive or negative.
🖼️ Visual Learning
Lacrimal Regurgitation Test — ROPLAS Technique

🎥 Practical Demonstration
Regurgitation Test (Lacrimal System Examination) — practical demonstration suitable for ophthalmology learners.
📝 Important Viva Questions
Answer: It is a simple clinical test used to detect regurgitation from the lacrimal sac and screen for obstruction of the lacrimal drainage pathway.
Answer: Pressure is applied over the lacrimal sac area behind the anterior lacrimal crest near the medial canthus.
Answer: Reflux of fluid, mucus or mucopurulent material through one or both lacrimal puncta when the sac is compressed.
Answer: It supports nasolacrimal duct obstruction and may be seen in chronic dacryocystitis.
Answer: No. Absence of regurgitation does not completely exclude partial obstruction or functional impairment of lacrimal drainage.
