Early probing in congenital naso-lacrimal duct obstruction

Abstract EN

Aim: To evaluate the role of early probing in congenital naso-lacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).

Method: The medical records of patients who underwent nasolacrimal duct probing for CNLDO in ophthalmic theater of Al-Jamhori Teaching Hospital, between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively.

Nasolacrimal duct probing was performed on 76 eyes from 73 consecutive patients with CNLDO.

Results: Based on exclusion criteria, 76 eyes from 73 patients (30 males and 43 females), aged 6 to 84 months (mean, 15.67±13.58) were included.

The success rate of the initial probing was 84.2% (64 of 76) for all patients, 92.15% (47 of 51) in the 6 to 12 month age group, 75% (12 of 16) in the 13 to 24 months age group, and 55.5% (5 of 9) among individuals older than 24 months.

Conclusion: The success rate of probing is very high in 6-12 months age group.