Frequency of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children having congenital malformations of the eyes coming to the tertiary care eye hospital. Descriptive study done at Al Shifa eye hospital Rawalpindi from January 2004 to December 2007. Retrospective case record analysis of all children coming to the hospital with congenital malformation of nasolacrimal duct along with other congenital malformations of the eyes were included in the study. Children with no congenital anomalies of the eyes but having nasolacrimal duct obstruction were excluded. Congenital malformations of eyes were seen in 514 cases [289 males and 225 females]. The age distribution was from birth to 15 years, with majority seen between 0-2 years. Out of 514 cases, 103 had congenital abnormalities of lacrimal apparatus with 20% having nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Persistent tears were the major presenting feature. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction was the commonest congenital malformations of the eyes which can be easily corrected