Bicanalicular lacrimal intubation as a primary surgical treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of bicanalicular lacrimal intubation as a primary treatment in cases of epiphora caused by congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children up to 6 years of age. Patients and methods A prospective surgical intervention case series study was carried out in the Ophthalmology Department of Minia University Hospital. Forty-six eyes of 43 children with epiphora (dated since birth or shortly after) were enroled in this study. A bicanalicular lacrimal silicon tube was introduced through the nasolacrimal duct to the nose. Results In this study, the primary lacrimal intubation was successful in 40 eyes out of 46 eyes (87%). For children aged 1–2 years, primary intubation was successful in 22 eyes out of 24 (91.6%), and for those aged 2–4 years it was successful in 12 eyes out of 14 (85.7%). On the other hand, for children aged between 4 and 6 years, the procedure was less successful: six eyes out of eight (75%). Improvement of symptoms occurred in two eyes out of four (50%) when the tubes were removed early, and this rate increased to 90.9% in 20 out of 22 eyes when the tubes were retained for up to 3–6 months and to 90% in 18 out of 20 eyes when the tubes were retained for up to 6–12 months. Conclusion Bicanalicular lacrimal intubation is a successful treatment for children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and the younger the age of the children the higher the success rate.