J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2021 May;62(5):589-594. 10.3341/jkos.2021.62.5.589.

Analysis of Office Probing in Children Under 4 Years of Age with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

• Kang MS
• Suh SY
• Ahn JH

• KMID: 2515940
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2021.62.5.589

Abstract

Purpose
To analyze the effect of office-based probing in different age groups of children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Methods
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.

Keyword

Age, Congenital, Lacrimal duct obstruction, Probing