The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency and reliability of “double probing” in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CLDO). In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical records of patients who underwent “double probing” due to CLDO between January 2008 and February 2013. The patients were separated into four groups according to their ages as follows: group 1 age 0-12 months, group 2 age 12-24 months, group 3 age 24-60 months and group 4 age 60 months or more. Probing was applied to patients with dacryocystoceles in the early post-medical treatment period whereas pressured massage and medical treatment up to at least 10 months were applied to patients with no complaints other than epiphora. 139 eyes of 95 patients were included in the study, from 49 (51.5%) females and 46 (48.5%) males. The patients’ age range was 3 to 66 months, with an average of 24.36 months. Distribution of the patients according to groups was as follows: 27 eyes in group 1, 65 eyes in group 2, 44 eyes in group 3 and 3 eyes in group 4. After the first double probing, 131 eyes of 95 patients successfully recovered. The average age of the patients operated with success was 23.34±13.55 months, whereas the average age of the patients operated without success was 26.57±15.17 months. The success rate was 96.2% in group 1, 93.8% in group 2, 93.1%, in group 3 and 100% in group 4. Two of the 8 eyes that underwent unsuccessful first double probing were given second double probing, whereas 4 eyes underwent lacrimal intubation and 2 eyes underwent external DCR. After the second surgery, complete success was achieved in all patients.
 

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