Effect of different artificial tears on relieving dry eye symptoms after phacoemulsification of cataract

AIM: To investigate the curative effect of polyethylene glycol(PEG)eye drops, polyacrylic acid(PAA)eye gel and sodium hyaluronate(SH)eye drops on dry eye syndrome after phacoemulsification. METHODS: Patients with age-related cataract who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in the hospital from February 2015 to January 2018 were enrolled in the study. They were divided into PEG group, PAA group and SH group according to the application type of artificial tears. The clinical symptom scores, Schirmer I test, break-up time(BUT)and corneal fluorescein staining were observed and analyzed at 7, 14 and 30d after operation in the three groups. The curative effects were evaluated. RESULTS: After 14 and 30d of operation, the score of dry eye symptom, Schirmer I and BUT in SH group were significantly better than those in PEG group and PAA group(P<0.05). The staining score and tear film imaging score in SH group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups at 30 days after operation(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in all indexes between PEG group and PAA group(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: PEG drops, PAA eye gel and SH eye drops all can alleviate the clinical symptoms of dry eye patients after cataract surgery, improve the state of tear film, which have good clinical curative effects. SH eye drops may be more advantageous.