Success Rate of Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Children.

Abstract

To determine the success rate of initial and repeated probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in children between 2-41 months. One hundred and twelve children aged 1.8 to 13 years responded to the control examination. They were diagnosed with CNLDO in the past and now included in a retrospective study. The mean follow-up period was 5.2 years (from 0.6 to 11.6 years). Patients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of surgery: group A (2-12 months) and group B (13-41 months). Probing and irrigation of NLD was performed in the Eye Clinic in Pleven under general anesthesia in all subjects. A controlled examination was done to evaluate the effect of probing on the basis of a history of watery eyes, regurgitation test, and dye disappearance test (DTT). Of the 131 eyes in 112 children, 110 eyes (84%) had one probing and 21 eyes (16%) had repeat probing. Success rate of the initial probing was 90% (99 of 110) for all patients' eyes: 89% (70 of 79) in group A and 94% (29 of 31) in group B. The cure rate of the repeat probing was 76% (16 of 21) for all patients: 88% (7 of 8) in group A and 69% (9 of 13) in group B. The overall success rate of probing was 88% (115 of 131). Nasolacrimal duct probing followed by irrigation is a commonly performed, highly successful treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children. The success rate for initial and repeated nasolacrimal duct probing is not affected by age.