Question
When is it most appropriate to treat dacryocystitis? The child has been experiencing this symptom for some time, and the parents are concerned about medication treatment, hoping to receive advice from the doctor.
Answer
The effectiveness of dacryocystitis treatment decreases with age. For infants under 3 months and over 6 months, parents may miss the best treatment opportunity due to reluctance to have their child undergo treatment. It is recommended for infants between 3 and 6 months old to use lacrimal duct irrigation and probing techniques, and to perform lacrimal duct intubation under general anesthesia. If treatment is sought only before school age, early treatment and antibiotic eye drops may no longer be applicable, and reliance can only be placed on conservative treatments such as massage. Some parents mistakenly believe that symptoms will naturally disappear as the child grows older, but in reality, early detection and timely treatment are crucial.