NOV 27, 2013
This small retrospective study found that direct endoscopic probing is effective for treating congenital lacrimal duct obstruction in children, albeit with minor complications.
The authors write that the most common treatment for congenital lacrimal duct obstruction is standard probing without dacryoendoscopy. However, the lacrimal duct cannot be observed during this procedure. If the probing procedure allowed observation of the lacrimal duct, it could be safer and more successful.
They reviewed the charts of 10 children aged 14 to 74 months who underwent direct endoscopic probing with dacryoendoscopy for congenital lacrimal duct obstruction.
At six months’ follow-up, treatment was successful in 12 of 13 lacrimal ducts. However, five patients reported occasional discharge.
The obstruction site was confirmed in all patients but one and included the punctum, canaliculus, sac, nasolacrimal duct and valve of Hasner. The lacrimal drainage system appeared normal in most cases but a few showed dacryocystitis or fibrosis.
The authors conclude that endoscopic probing is a more accurate method than standard probing without dacryoendoscopy for treating such widely varying deformations. However, more experience with the technique is needed.