Analysis Of Office Probing In Children Under 4 Years Of Age With Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Purpose: To analyze the effect of office-based probing in different age groups of children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Method: A retrospective study was conducted in 146 children (200 eyes) diagnosed with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent office-based probing. The children were classified into four groups at the time of probing: group A (< 6 months), group B (> 6 months but < 12 months), group C (> 12 months but < 20 months), and group D (> 20 months but < 48 months). Age at the time of the procedure, gender, laterality, follow-up period, clinical symptoms, and the number of probings were investigated. Success rates were compared among the four groups in terms of sex, age, laterality, and the number of probings.Results: The success rate of the first probing was 160/200 eyes (80.0%). The success rates were 87.5% in group A, 85.7% in group B, 77.6% in group C, and 76.7% in group D. No significant difference in the success rate was observed according to age (p = 0.550). The second probing was performed in 40 eyes. The success rates were 100% in group A, 87.5% in group B, 70.6% in group C, and 35.7% in group D. A significant difference in the success rate was observed according to age (p = 0.048). The success rate of the second probing was 25/40 eyes (62.5%). No significant difference in laterality was observed among the four groups (p = 0.291).Conclusions: No significant difference in the success rate of first nasolacrimal duct probing was detected, but a significant difference in the success rate of the second probing was detected according to age in children < 4 years of age.