The Clinical outcome of Probing and Silicone Tube Intubation for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We studied the clinical outcome of nasolacrimal probing according to the age and silicone tube intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 76 patients (99 eyes) who had undergone nasolacrimal duct probing performed in the office under topical anesthesia and 18 patients (20 eyes) who had undergone silicone tube intubation under general anesthesia between February 1997 and March 2001. Patients who had undergone probing were grouped according to their age at the time of probing 6 months or less (group 1), 7 to 12 months (group 2) and 13 months or older (group 3). RESULTS: The overall success rate by probing was 84%. The success rate of probing in those under 6 months of age was 88%; in those from age 7 to 12 months, 86%; and in those 13 months or older, the rate decreased to 76%. The decrease in success rate after 13 months was statistically significant (P<0.05). The success rate of silicone tube intubation was 95%. CONCLUSION: We concluded that early office probing under 12 months of age for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is an effective method for treatment of symptomatic nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In case over 13 months of age, probing is also considered as the first choice of treatment although its success rate is lower than the former. Silicone tube intubation is an effective method in case of failure of repeated probing and over 20 months of age.