The results of late probing in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To evaluate the results of lacrimal probing in children at or older than 1 year of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Fifty eyes of 38 children (24 males, 14 females) with congenital epiphora who underwent nasolacrimal duct probing were evaluated in a prospective study. The age of the patients was between 12 and 101 months (mean: 33 months). Success of probing was defined as complete resolution of preoperative symptoms and signs. The mean follow-up was 8 months (3-28 months).The success rate of probing was 88% (44/50 eyes). Residual epiphora was observed in 6 eyes of 4 patients (12%). Age of the patient, gender, the frequency of epiphora before probing and the unilaterality or bilaterality of epiphora did not correlate with the success of probing (p0.05).Nasolacrimal duct probing is advocated as a primary treatment in children younger than 9 years of age before proceeding to more complex treatment options. Unsuccessful probing may result from the selection of nonmembranous obstructions rather than the increased age of the patients.