Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Ritleng lacrimal intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after unsuccessful probing. Design Retrospective case series. Participants 300 patients(387 eyes) with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent unsuccessful probing. Methods Different anaesthesia methods were applied in Ritleng lacrimal intubation. Different anaesthesia methods, infection and times of probing that may influence successful rate of the surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Operation complications were also analyzed. The followed-up period varied from 12 to 34 months. Main Outcome Measures Patient number and percentage of cure, and the complications. Results Operation was successful in 87.08% (337/387 cases) of all the eyes. Operation under topical anesthesia was successful in 87.33% (255/290 cases) of eyes. Operation under general anesthesia was successful in 86.31% (82/95 cases) of eyes. Operation was successful in 90.70% (273/301) of eyes without dacryocystitis. Operation was successful in 74.41% (64/86) of eyes with dacryocystitis. The difference was significant (P=0.00). Operation success rate was 94.37% (201/213),  86.11% (93/108), and 65.15% (43/66) in eyes that had undergone probing once, twice and more than two times respectively. Conclusion Ritleng lacrimal intubation has high cure rate and low complications. So it is the suitable operation method for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after unsuccessful probing. （Ophthalmol CHN, 2012, 21: 331-335）

Key words: obstruction of lacrimal passage/congenital, lacrimal intubation