Probing and dilation restore nasolacrimal duct patency when obstruction is confirmed. When needed, the doctor considers temporary stent intubation or another treatment approach.
children with persistent confirmed congenital obstruction when conservative management is insufficient or clinical indications favor intervention; patients with persistent watering and confirmed outflow impairment; Parents should explain how long tearing and discharge have persisted, whether massage has been performed and whether acute dacryocystitis has occurred.
patients with recurrence after previous probing when repeat probing or intubation is being considered;
selected partial stenosis cases where temporary stenting may form part of the surgical plan;
adults after full assessment of epiphora when the anatomical level of obstruction is appropriate for probing or intubation. Pus, painful swelling at the inner eye corner, fever or increasing swelling requires an in-person examination before elective treatment.
Food and testing requirements depend on the anaesthesia and age.
Do not attempt to irrigate or probe the tear duct yourself.
After moistening the ocular surface, tears collect at the inner corner and pass through the puncta, canaliculi, lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct into the nasal cavity. A membrane, stenosis, scar or another obstruction along this route causes tears to stagnate.
A tumor, post-traumatic deformity, significant nasal pathology or complete obstruction may make simple probing/dilation inadequate.
Potential problems after probing include reclosure, blood-stained discharge, irritation and canalicular injury. Intubation adds risks such as stent displacement/prolapse and local irritation.
For children, the type of anaesthesia and timing of intervention must be approved by a paediatric ophthalmologist and an anaesthesiologist according to the current KazRIED protocol.
Do not stop medicines affecting clotting without consulting the doctor.
Adults should report facial/nasal trauma, prior surgery, chronic sinus disease, tumors and previous lacrimal procedures.
Acute severe inflammation of the lacrimal sac, an abscess or spreading swelling first requires urgent assessment and treatment of infection.
Seek prompt care for increasing pain, fever, pus, rapidly increasing swelling, reduced vision or marked bleeding.
Acute severe inflammation of the lacrimal sac, an abscess or spreading swelling first requires urgent assessment and treatment of infection.
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The doctor reviews the onset of tearing, inflammation, injuries and previous operations.
Dye tests, irrigation or other patency studies may be added.
The doctor selects treatment according to the level and cause of obstruction.
Local anaesthetic drops are used for childhood probing in Almaty.
During probing, the punctum is dilated if needed and a fine probe is passed through the lacrimal drainage pathway, followed by a patency check.
During intubation, a stent is passed through the system and left temporarily, then removed later according to the surgeon’s plan.
The patient receives postoperative care instructions, follow-up timing and warning symptoms.
For suitable types of obstruction, probing helps open the tear pathway and restore drainage.
Probing and dilation aim to restore the existing passage without creating a new bypass route.
Assessment of tear drainage pathways helps select a procedure suited to the location and nature of narrowing.
The method, anaesthesia and follow-up are selected according to age and the clinical situation.
The colors do not rank a method as “best.” Green = commonly suitable for the criterion; yellow = possible when indicated; red = usually not the main choice; gray = not applicable.
If tearing and discharge persist, book an examination at KazRIED. The doctor will assess lacrimal drainage patency and explain whether conservative management, probing/dilation, intubation or another method is needed.
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After moistening the ocular surface, tears drain through the puncta, canaliculi, lacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal duct into the nasal cavity. A membrane, narrowing, scar, or another obstruction along this pathway can cause tears to stagnate.
Symptoms may include persistent tearing, mucus or purulent discharge, and eyelashes sticking together. Inflammation may cause painful swelling near the inner corner of the eye.
In children, congenital obstruction of the distal nasolacrimal duct is typical. Many cases resolve spontaneously, so the timing of probing is determined individually according to age and the clinical situation.
In adults, causes are more often acquired: chronic inflammation, trauma, scarring, nasal or sinus changes, tumors, or age-related narrowing. The same complaint of tearing may therefore require different treatments.
These methods have different indications and may be used in stages. They are not interchangeable.
For a child, initial management often involves observation and massage as recommended by the clinician. Persistent obstruction may lead to probing or dilation. Intubation may be needed for persistent or complex stenosis.
In adults, the choice depends more strongly on the cause and level of obstruction.
The clinician asks when tearing began, whether discharge or inflammation is present, and whether there is a history of trauma, surgery, or nasal and sinus disease.
After assessing patency and anatomy, the clinician selects observation, probing, dilation, intubation, or reconstructive surgery.
DCR is not routine probing. Its indications and the components of the service are determined individually.
Reconstruction of a single lacrimal canaliculus is a separate procedure addressing a different anatomical problem.
Initial assessment is performed by an ophthalmologist or ophthalmic surgeon, or a pediatric ophthalmologist for a child.
Suspected complex lacrimal reconstructive conditions may require referral to the Outpatient Surgery Center and, when necessary, an ENT specialist.
For children, treatment should follow a current age-appropriate pathway and individual clinical indications.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
