Comparison of success rates of probing surgery in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction by age range

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of probing surgery in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) according to application time and age groups.
 Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with CNLDO who were followed up at Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine between 2012 and 2022 were evaluated. One hundred thirteen eyes of 90 patients with CNLDO were included in the study. The fluorescein dye disappearance test was used to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment success. The demographic characteristics of the patients and the success of the surgeries were recorded. 
 Results: Considering the first probing surgical time, our success rates according to age groups were as follows: 0-12 months (n=10) 100%, 12-18 months (n=29) 86.2%, 18-24 months (n=24) 87.5%, 24-36 months (n=24) 79.2%, 36-48 months (n=14) 57.1%, and 66.7% in patients aged 48 months and older (n=12). When our entire patient group was evaluated regarding success before and after age 2 years, the rate was 88.9% in patients younger than 24 months (n=63), and 70% in patients aged 24 months and older (n=50). 
 Conclusion: In our study, the most successful age ranges for probing surgery were found as 0-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months. Probing surgery should be performed for patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction before the age of 2 years because the success rates decreased in patients older than 2 years in our study.