Effect of age on primary balloon dacryocystoplasty and probing success in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Abstract

To compare the success rates of balloon dacryocystoplasty (BDP) and probing as a primary procedure in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and investigate the effect of age on both procedures. A total of 135 patients (171 eyes) with simple and incomplete complex CNLDO were included in this retrospective study; complete complex CNLDO cases were excluded. The success rates for primary BDP (118 eyes) and for probing (53 eyes) were compared overall and among the age groups; Group 1 (12-24months old), Group 2 (25-36months old), and Group 3 (> 36months old). Mean age of the patients was 41.5 ± 27.2months for primary BDP, and 21.8 ± 10.8months for probing (p < 0.001). Overall success rates for primary BDP and probing were 81.1% (43/53) and 76.3% (90/118), respectively (p = 0.481). Success rates for BDP and probing among age groups were 93.8% and 85.3% in Group 1 (p = 0.360), 93.3% and 50.0% in Group 2 (p = 0.012), and 63.6% and 27.3% in Group 3 (p = 0.052), respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that the median ages were 18months for probing and 36months for primary BDP. The Poisson regression model showed that for every 1-month increase in patients' age, the success rate of probing decreased by 9.7%. Probing success decreased to a point where different treatment options such as primary BDP can be discussed with the patients' parents after 18months of age. The success of BDP decreased after 36months, while it maintained a high success rate between 24 and 36months as primary treatment.