Effect of age on the success rate of lacrimal probing in the congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of age factor on the success rate of lacrimal probing in the congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). Methods This report was based on a single-center retrospective case series study. The gradient therapeutic regimen was adopted, and lacrimal probing was undertaken to treat CNLDO when conservative treatment was ineffective. The patients were categorized into 4 groups by age: 0-＜6 months,6-＜12 months,12-＜24 months and 24-60 months. The success rate of probing in each group was compared and the correlation with age was analyzed. Results A total of 314 eyes of 269 patients were included. The success rates of primary probing in 4 groups were 86.8%, 91.7%, 73.6% and 37.8%, respectively. The overall success rate of probing in all patients was 84.7%(266/314). The decreased success rate of probing at age beyond 12 months was significantly correlated with increasing age(P＜0.001). No significant correlation was found with sex or laterality. Conclusions Staged treatment strategy is safe and effective. The success rate of probing is negatively correlated with age. Initial probing is recommended in children under 2 with failure of the conservative management.

Keywords

• congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction|age|epiphora|probing|stenting