AIM: To explore the treatment effect of initial lacrimal passage irrigation and probing in neonatal dacryocystitis.

METHODS: In this retrospective case series study, 224 outpatients( 256 eyes )with neonatal dacryocystitis were selected from January 2012 to December 2012 in our hospital.The patients were divided into 5 groups(1～3mo, 4～60mo, 7～9mo, 10～12mo and >12mo). Initial lacrimal passage irrigation and probing were operated, the therapeutic effect of different groups were compared.

RESULTS: In this study, 256 eyes of 224 cases, 242 eyes(94.5%)were cured and 14 eyes(5.5%)were failed. Bony nasolacrimal duct obstruction happened more obviously in children aged more than 10mo with lower cure rate. More probing was required with the children aged(Spearman rank correlation analysis, γ_s=0.746, P<0.01). All of the 226 eyes with Hasner valve obstruction were cured. Bony nasolacrimal duct obstruction was 30 eyes, 16 eyes were cured(the cure rate was 53.3%). The cure rate of two parts of the obstruct had significant difference. There were no cases of infection and false passage.

CONCLUSION: The treatment of primary lacrimal passage irrigation and probing in neonatal daryocystitisis effective and safe, the optimal timing of treatment is 1～9mo. With the growth of age, the cure rate is decreased.