Doğumsal Nazolakrimal Kanal Tıkanıklığı Tedavisinde Sondalama Yönteminin Etkinliği

Pur po se: To investigate the outcome of probing in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and to evaluate the success\udrate among age groups.\udMa te ri al and Met hod: The charts of patients who underwent probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction between 2008\udand 2011 were reviewed. Patients’ ages at the time of probing, the presence of watering complaints and epiphora, and fluorescein dye\uddisappearance test results after the procedure were recorded. Findings were evaluated according to age groups.\udRe sults: Forty-six patients (24 girls (52.2%), 22 boys (47.8%)) diagnosed as congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in the\udstudy. Probing was performed to the right eye in 13 (28.3%), left eye in 13 (28.3%) and both eyes in 20 (43.4%) patients, i.e. to 66 eyes in\udtotal. Age at time of probing was between 18 days and 6 years (average: 23.5 months). Six patients were under 12 months, 26 patients were\udbetween 12 and 24 months, and 14 patients were over 24 months. Mean follow-up period was 4.32 (1-24) months. By probing, success was\udachieved in 48 of 66 eyes (72.72%). According to the age group, success rate of probing was 100% (6 of 6 eyes) in patients under 12 months,\udwhile it was 80.95% (34 of 42 eyes) in patients between 12-24 months and 44.44% (8 eyes of 18) in those over 24 months.\udDis cus si on: In the first year of life, probing is an effective treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in cases not improving\udwith conservative treatment. As the age increases, the chance of success decreases, thus the application should not be delayed. However,\udin selected cases with advanced age, it can be recommended prior to invasive treatments. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2012; 42: 342-5