AIM: To compare the effects of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with traditional dacryocystorhinostomy on chronic dacryocystitis in Xinjiang Uygurs.

METHODS: Twenty-eight Uygurs eyes of chronic dacryocystitis selected from the Ophthalmology Department of the Fifth Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between June 2010 and May 2012 were studied retrospectively, including 12 eyes underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and 16 eyes underwent traditional dacryocystorhinostomy.

RESULTS:Nine eyes were cured(75.0%)on endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and 15 eyes were cured(93.8%)on traditional dacryocystorhinostomy. There was no statistical significance between two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The effect of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is similar with that of traditional dacryocystorhinostomy. It is an effective mini-invasive operation with no facial surgical scar.