Long Term Results of Nasolacrimal Probing in Adults with Complete Nasolacrimal Obstruction

To determine long-term outcomes of probing in adult patients with nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction. Patients older than 20 years admitted in Labaffinejad hospital with complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction were studied. The selected patients underwent probing under local anesthesia and cases with successful NLD probing enrolled the study. Patients were examined during the first week, 1, 6 and 12 months after probing. 65 patients with complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent probing. 41 patients with successful probing enrolled. The overall success rate (complete and partial success) was reported in 28 patients (68.3%) in the first week. Success rates were 51.2% and 43.9% in 6 and 12 months after probing. Most of the decline in success rates were between 1 and 6 months after probing (p=0.016). Probing of nasolacrimal duct for treatment of adult patients with complete obstruction has a significant success rate and probing can be considered in cases that are not suitable for general anesthesia or doing dacryocystorhinostomy.