Monocanalicular Intubation in Children with Incomplete Complex Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Older Than Five Years of Age

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of monocanalicular intubation (MCI) in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in children older than 5 years of age. METHODS: A retrospective case series study was done on children over 5 years of age diagnosed with CNLDO who underwent MCI. Success rates were evaluated subjectively by asking their parents about persistent symptoms and objectively using the dye disappearance test in clinical examination. RESULTS: A total of 43 eyes of 37 patients with a mean age of 7.42 ± 2.33 (range, 5–15 years of age) were included. The success rate was 60.46%, and the rate of secondary surgical intervention was 25% of all cases (61.11% of failed cases). CONCLUSION: Primary MCI maintains a reasonable success rate in incomplete complicated CNLDO regardless of age.