Balloon catheter dilatation in pediatric patients.

Balloon catheter dilatation was performed in five children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who had failed probing or silicone intubation, or who were 6 years of age or older. A patent lacrimal system was achieved in four of these children. Balloon catheter dilatation may offer an alternative to silicone intubation in children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who fail probing or who are at least 2 years old.