A randomized controlled clinical study on the combination of preservative-free sodium hyaluronate and fluorometholone eyedrops for cataract with dry-eye

Background

Cataract with preexisted dry eye is a common eye disease.It is speculated that preservative-free artificial tears can inhibit inflammatory procedure, prevent postoperative eye infections and reduce dry eye symptoms.However, relevant literature is rare up to now.

Objective

This study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects between preservative-free or preservative sodium hyaluronate combined with fluorometholone eyedrops for cataract with dry-eye.

Methods

A randomized controlled single-blind clinical study was performed.Sixty patients with dry-eye syndrome who was going to receive surgery for cataract removal were enrolled in Yuhuangding Hospital from January to December 2015 under the informed consent.The patients were randomly divided into the test group and control group.Preservative-free or preservative 0.1% sodium hyaluronate combined with 0.1% fluorometholone eye drops were topically administered in the eyes of the test group and control group, respectively.Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, breakup time of tearfilm (BUT), Schirmer Ⅰ test (SⅠt), corneal fluorescein staining, impression cytology, goblet cell density and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in tears were evaluated and compared.

Results

There were significant differences in gender, ages, OSDI scores, BUT, SⅠt value, corneal fluorescein staining scores, impression cytology findings, and goblet cell density between the two groups (all at P>0.05). OSDI, corneal fluorescein staining scores and imprint cellular level were evidently reduced, and BUT, SⅠt values and goblet cell density were significantly increased 1 month and 2 months after operation in comparison with the baseline values in the test group(F=13.058, 8.027, 3.755, 21.652, 70.962, 92.354, all at P<0.05). The concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in tears of the test group were significantly lower, and CAT and SOD2 in the tears of the test group were significantly higher than those in the control group 1 month and 2 months after operation (F=18.731, 9.070, 15.357, 351.359, all at P>0.05).

Conclusions

0.1% preservative-free sodium hyaluronate combined with 0.1% fluorometholone eyedrops can relieve the symptoms and signs of dry-eyes following cataract surgery by playing antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects.