The Incidence and Medical Treatment of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Korean Infants

ABSTRACT

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction(CNLDO) is the most common abnormality of the lacrimal apparatus in infants. The estimates of incidence of CNLDO had been made by many authors with variable range and the reports on the natural course of this condition in Korean infants are very seldom. We examined the patency of 990 nasolacrimal ducts in 495 newborn infants by the F.D.D.(fluorescein dye disappearance) test and lacrimal irrigation. In the 51 patients(10.3%), there were 69 obstructed nasolacrimal ducts(6.97%). The patients with eye discharge had higher incidence of CNLDO than the patients without eye discharge. There were no significant predilection of sex, chronologie age, birth weight, age of mother or type of delivery. All affected patients were followed prospectively with hydrostatic massage and topical antibiotics. Of the 46 ducts(32 infants) followed with medical treatment until 12 months after birth, 23 ducts(50%) became patent within one month after birth, 37 ducts(80%) were improved by the 2 months after birth. 45 ducts(98%) showed good patency by the 1 year after birth. In conclusion the incidence of the CNLDO in Korean infants was relatively high(10.3%), and CNLDO in newborn could be cured by the medical treatment only.