Massage Noninferior to Probing for Infant Tear Duct Blockage

A randomized noninferiority trial in Guangzhou compared standardized lacrimal sac massage performed by parents with in-office lacrimal duct probing in 160 infants under 1 year with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. At 3 months, resolution rates were 86.2% with massage versus 83.7% with probing, meeting the prespecified noninferiority margin, though symptom resolution took longer with massage (3.8 weeks) than probing (1.1 weeks). No serious complications occurred in either group.

Most relevant for: Infants younger than 1 year with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction presenting with epiphora or discharge since birth.

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