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Immediate or delayed probing sufficient for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction
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Two options are sufficient for treating bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants, according to a study.
Fifty-seven infants who had bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction were randomized in the multicenter study; 31 patients received immediate office-based probing within 2 weeks and 26 patients were observed for 6 months, using nonsurgical management with subsequent surgical facility-based probing for persistent cases.
Patient age ranged between 6 months and less than 10 months.
In the delayed probing group, resolution occurred at 6 months without surgery in both eyes in 14 patients (56%) and in one eye in five patients (20%). Six patients (24%) had no resolution. Eight patients underwent facility-based probing; one of these patients underwent a second facility probing.
In the immediate probing group, four patients underwent subsequent additional probing in a surgical setting.
At 18 months of age, treatment was successful in the immediate probing group in both eyes of 19 of 29 patients (66%) and in one eye of three patients (10%); treatment was successful in the delayed probing group in both eyes of 19 of 25 patients (76%) and in one eye of three patients (12%).
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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