Silastic intubation in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: a study of 129 eyes

Congenital nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction, the most common cause of congenital epiphora, occurs in approximately 5% of newborns. Before the advent of canaliculodacryo intubation, management of most cases of partial lacrimal obstruction that failed conservative management and probing necessitated bypass surgery such as dacryocystorhinostomy. Noninvasive closed system lacrimal intubation improved the success rate and provided a non-surgical therapeutic alternative. We present 129 eyes with congenital NLD obstruction managed with silastic lacrimal intubations. Early management is recommended with a minimum of 7 months' retention of the stents. Statistical assessment of results and management of complications is presented.