Outcomes of nasolacrimal intubation in children aged 1 to 8 years

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) intubation in children aged 1-8 years having congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and to compare success rates among different age groups.Study design: Retrospective-Observational study. Place and Duration of study: Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi. March-October 2023. Patients and Methods: A total of 187 eyes from 162 pediatric patients aged 1–8 years who underwent NLD intubation were included. After exclusions, 156 eyes were analyzed. Patients were categorized into three age groups: Group A (1.1 to <3 years), Group B (3 to <5 years) and Group C (5 to 8 years). Success was defined by both subjective (resolution of tearing and discharge) and objective criteria (negative regurgitation test). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 23.0) and intergroup comparisons were made using the Chi-square test. Results: The overall success rate of NLD intubation was 68.59% with younger children demonstrating higher success rates. Group A had the highest success rate (83.67%) followed by Group B (64.86%) and Group C (58.93%), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0385). Complications occurred in 25 cases; tube extrusion (7 patients), cheese wiring of the puncta (5 patients), mucocoele, nasolacrimal fistula, and chronic dacryocystitis (1 patient each). Conclusion: This study highlights that nasolacrimal intubation is more effective in younger children. The findings suggest that early intubation might prevent the need for multiple surgeries and reduce complications.