Aim: To determine the success rate of initial and repeated probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in children between 2-41 months.
Patients and methods: 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).
Results: 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).
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords: congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction; probing; success rate.