Idiopathic nasolacrimal duct obstruction is commonly found in adults and causing subsequent epiphora. In children below the age of 4 years probing is an effective treatment. However the risk of failure increased with age. Recently DCR is the first choice of treatment which is invasive with various complications. Probing in adults is quick, safe, easily performed with local anesthesia, cost effective, and potentially an outpatient procedure. This study is done to determine the efficacy of probing in the initial treatment of epiphora in adult.

An interventional case series was done in 65 patients more than 20 years with epiphora in Labbafinejadhospital(1390-1392). We investigated the efficacy of probing in all cases. The procedure was consider successful if the epiphora had been resolved subjectively and objectively. The Patientswere follow upped at 1 week 1,6 and 12 months after probing.

There were 65 patients with NLDO candidate for DCR. All cases were treated initially by probing. For the patients withunsuccessful probing, DCR were done. 41 patients (11male, 30 female) were included in study. The treatment was successful in 68.3% in 1st week 51.2%, 43.9% in 6th and 12th months,respectively. There was significant differences in success rate between 1st week and 6thmonths(p=0.016) and between 1st week and 12th months(p=0.002)

Probing in adults with confirmed NLDO can be recommended as an initials treatment because of its relatively good efficacy and high patient’s satisfaction