AIM:To determine the correlation between success rate of probing and age in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction(NLDO).

METHODS: A total of 120 patients who underwent probing were studied. Patients were divided into three age categories: group 1(younger than 12 months), group 2(between 13 to 24 months), and group 3(between 25 to 60 months old). At first conservative management was initiated for all patients, but the obstruction didn't resolve so probing was performed as an alternative treatment. The cure rate of probing was compared between the three categories.

RESULTS: The success rate in groups 1 to 3 was 94.3%, 83.3%, and 68.4% respectively. Cure rate of probing differed significantly between the three groups(P=0.017).

CONCLUSION: Probing is associated with a higher success rate if performed early in life. Based on our observation, early intervention for NLDO, preferably in the first two years, is warranted.