Intraoperative prognostic factors for probing outcome in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

PURPOSE. To evaluate the intraoperative prognostic factors for probing outcome in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). METHODS. In a prospective interventional study, 69 eyes of 60 children aged 12 to 24 months with CNLDO underwent probing and irrigation. All procedures were performed by a single oculoplastic surgeon. The nature of the obstruction was classified by the surgeon as simple or complex. The fluency of irrigation after probing was defined as easy or difficult. Treatment success was defined as no epiphora or mucus discharge at 3 months after probing. RESULTS. The mean age at the time of probing was 15.3 +/- 3.1 months (range, 12-23 months). Treatment success was achieved in 56 of 69 eyes (81.2%). There was a significant difference in success rate of probing in eyes with simple obstruction (87.8%) compared with complex obstruction (65%) (p=0.02). Also, there was a significant difference in success rate of probing in eyes with easy irrigation (100%) compared with difficult irrigation (53.6%) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS. Probing was more successful in eyes with simple obstruction or easy irrigation in children aged 12 to 24 months. The fluency of irrigation as an objective finding was a reliable intraoperative prognostic factor for probing success.