The technique of nasendoscopy in the evaluation of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children

Epiphora in infancy is most commonly the result of failure of canalisation of the nasolacrimal duct and most cases resolve spontaneously within 12 mon ths. Lacrimal probing is the standard operative treatment when conservative expectant management fails. While this carries a high success rate, it doe s not reliably localise the site of obstruction, ran create a false passage and may induce traumatic stenosis in the lacrimal passages. Nasendoscopy i n conjunction with the lacrimal probing overcomes these problems as the pro cedure is performed under direct vision. , precise site of opening of the n asolacrimal duct is ascertained, the nature of obstruction established and the risks of false passage creation minimised. We report this technique of The endoscopic assessment of lacrimal probing, and the outcome results of t wenty such procedures performed on thirteen children.