Results of Early Probing in Cases of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of early intervention in cases of congenital NasoLacrimal Duct Obstruction (NLDO). Also, to find the possibility of occurrence of additional side effects. Methods: The study involved thirty-three patients diagnosed as nasolacrimal duct obstruction of congenital origin between 2003 to 2005. These patients were submitted to early intervention by probing and irrigation under general anaesthesia between the age of 6 to 9 months. The success of the procedure was defined as complete resolution of signs and symptoms. The follow up period ranged from six to 18 months postoperatively. Results: The success rate was 90.48%, out of thirty-three patients, thirty patients showed complete cure after first attempt of probing and did not need any further interference or additional treatment. No serious complications were noticed to occur in this age group. Conclusion: Probing is highly successful in the younger age group and proved to be a safe procedure. This encourages us to use probing as first line of treatment starting from six months of age in cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.