Office probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: A study of parental satisfaction

Purpose: To determine parental satisfaction with nasolacrimal probings performed in the office without sedation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 81 consecutive children under 4 years of age who underwent nasolacrimal probings in our office. Sixty- seven caretakers of these children were contacted by telephone to determine parental satisfaction, probing effectiveness, procedural complications, and future recommendations. A comparison between parental satisfaction and patient age, probing effectiveness, and unilateral versus bilateral probings was performed. Results: Most caretakers (86%) were satisfied with the procedure and most (81%) would prefer the probing to be performed in the office rather than under general anesthesia (6% were unsure). Satisfaction rates were similar between the different age groups (P>.5 by Chi-square analysis), but were slightly lower in the unsuccessful probing and bilateral probing subgroups. Parents of children who underwent both an office procedure and a subsequent procedure under general anesthesia tended to prefer the office-based technique. Conclusion: The majority of caretakers of children who underwent unilateral or bilateral nasolacrimal probings in the office without sedation wore satisfied with the procedure and, when given a choice, preferred it over probings performed under general anesthesia.