Endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization for pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction: etiologic spectrum and…

Cohort studyJapanese journal of ophthalmology· Jul 2026

Endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization for pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction: etiologic spectrum and surgical outcomes.

Nozomi Matsumura, Tomoko Ohno, Jutaro Nakamura, Satoshi Goto

OculoplasticsCohort studyTreatmentQ1IF 2.7

Endoluminal recanalization resolved 97.6% of non-syndromic pediatric blocked tear ducts.

Endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization for pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction: etiologic spectrum and surgical outcomes.

Nozomi Matsumura … Satoshi Goto

Japanese journal of ophthalmology · Jul 2026 · Q1 in Ophthalmology

Purpose

To clarify the clinical characteristics and etiologic diversity of pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction in children aged ≥1 year requiring surgical treatment under general anesthesia and to evaluate the outcomes of endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization (endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization).

Methods

Retrospective observational study.

n = 338 eyes

Results

in most children without other syndromes, treatment fully cleared the blockage

97.6%

Nonsyndromic

56.1%

Syndromic

More results

The study included 245 patients (338 eyes).

Thirty-four eyes (10.1%) had a history of failed probing.

Congenital obstruction accounted for 259 eyes (76.6%), acquired obstruction for 38 eyes (11.2%), and syndromic cases for 41 eyes (12.1%).

More results

In contrast, syndromic cases demonstrated a significantly lower success rate of 56.1% (23/41 eyes; P < 0.001).

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

The obstruction of the lacrimal duct in pediatric patients requiring surgery under general anesthesia includes a broad spectrum of pathologies beyond simple congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

In patients without congenital malformation syndromes, endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization was associated with a high success rate and appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction.

Endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization for pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction: etiologic spectrum and surgical outcomes.

Endoluminal lacrimal duct recanalization for pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction: etiologic spectrum and surgical outcomes.

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