Probing through the supper canaliculi in congenital nasolacrimal system obstruction

A series of 24 children with congenital nasolacrimal system obstruction was prospectively randomised into three groups to determine the effectiveness of different modes of non-surgical treatment. Massaging the lacrimal sac in a manner that increased hydrostatic pressure to rupture the membranous obstruction was more effective [with high degree of statistical significance] than simple massage or no massage at all. Of those children requiring nasolacrimal probing, thigh success rate was found in simple obstructions in the nasolacrimal duct. Failure of probing was more common in canalicular obstructions or generally narrow nasolacrirnal duct