Lacrimal probing is commonly used to manage congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO), while the use of lacrimal sac massage remains controversial. A recent study compared lacrimal probing with lacrimal sac massage for complete or substantial resolution of epiphora and complete resolution of purulent discharge in 160 infants with CNLDO, with a mean age of 6.2 months. At 3 months, symptom resolution occurred in 86.2% (69/80) of infants in the massage group compared with 83.7% (67/80) in the probing group, with no serious complications observed.

The mean symptom resolution time was 3.8 weeks in the massage group and 1.1 weeks in the probing group. These findings showed that lacrimal sac massage was noninferior to lacrimal duct probing for symptom resolution in infants younger than 12 months with CNLDO. With no serious complications observed in either group, the study supports…