AIM: To analyze clinical effect of different treatments in treating infant dacryocystitis.

METHODS: A retrospective study included 218 cases(356 eyes)of infant dacryocystitis were collected and were divided into lacrimal sac massage group, lacrimal passage pressure washing group, lacrimal duct probing group, lacrimal probing combined hormones wash group. The cure rate of different groups was observed.

RESULTS: As the age grows, the total cure rate showed a downward trend; lacrimal passage pressure washing group showed significant higher cure rate than that of lacrimal sac massage group. Lacrimal duct probing group showed significant higher cure rate than that of lacrimal sac massage group and lacrimal passage pressure washing group. Lacrimal probing combined hormones wash group showed significant higher cure rate than that of lacrimal probing without hormones wash group. The cure rate of upper lacrimal point probing group was significantly better than that of the lower lacrimal point. Meanwhile, as the age grows, the cure rate of the lacrimal sac massage, lacrimal passage pressure washing group and lacrimal probing group decreased(respectively r=0.553, 0.437, 0.742, P<0.05). The best therapeutic effect of infants and young children who under the age of 1 is the lacrimal sac massage. For patients under 2 years old, lacrimal probing showed a better cure rate, especially upper lacrimal point probing. For patients over 2 years of age, lacrimal probing combined hormone therapy showed a better cure rate.

CONCLUSION: For smaller months, patients under 1-year-old, we prefer the lacrimal sac massage, and for patients over 1 year and under 2 years old, lacrimal probing is firstly recommended, upper lacrimal point probing would be better. For patients more than 4 years old should recommend lacrimal probing combined hormones wash treatment.