Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructionCongenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is the most common ocular abnormality in children, aged less than 1 year. Noncanalization of the inferior caudal end of the duct is the most common cause. Spontaneous resolution of the obstructionObstruction occurs in 96% of the children in the first year of life. Conservative management including lacrimal sac massageLacrimal sac massage and antibiotics, is the mainstay in this age group. For older children nasolacrimal probingProbing efficiently deals with most of the obstructionsObstruction, however, the timing for probingProbing remains controversial. The other invasive treatments like silicon tube intubation, balloon catheter dilation or DacryocystorhinostomyDacryocystorhinostomy may be considered in cases refractory to probingProbing.