Success rate of Nasolacrimal Duct Probing in children with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction after the age of one year

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children after the age of one year.Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive case series conducted on 145 children presented to Ophthalmology Department, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad with CNLDO. The probing and syringing of the nasolacrimal duct were performed under general anesthesia. The patency of the nasolacrimal system was evaluated by irrigation of saline stained with pyodine through the superior punctum, flow of saline into the nose was confirmed by soaking of throat gauze with pyodine stained fluid and/or oozing of pyodine stained fluid through nose. Patients were advised topical antibiotics and steroids for 3 weeks after the probing and follow-up checkups after 6 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS computer software version 17.0. Effect modifier like age and gender was controlled by stratification. The post-stratification chi-square test was applied. P-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: In our study, the frequency of success of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children between 1 to 2 years was 80.3%, children between 2 to 3 years of age were 53.1%, and children between 3 to 4 years of age were 32.4%.Conclusion: We concluded that the success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is higher in children after the age of one year and decreases gradually as the age progresses.