Anisometropia and Refractive Status in Children with Bilateral Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the state of refraction in children with bilateral congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from April 2014 to April 2016.

METHODOLOGY: Children with bilateral CNLDO were studied. Patients' refractive status were evaluated by performing cycloplegic refraction, followed by appropriate management plan. The refractive errors of both eyes were noted and compared for any significant anisometropia.

RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen (n=117) children with median age (IQR) of 32 (12) months having bilateral CNLDO were enrolled. Children with bilateral CNLDO had insignificant interocular difference in terms of spherical equivalent (SE) and cylindrical refractive errors (p>0.05). The rate of the anisometropia (>1 D difference between the two eyes) was 5.98% (n=7) in children with bilateral CNLDO.

CONCLUSION: Performing cycloplegic refraction routinely in patients with bilateral CNLDO is not as urgent as compared to ones with unilateral CNLDO. Further, avoidance of early surgical intervention in children with bilateral CNLDO will spare the parents from the emotional trauma and positively influence the health economics worldwide.