AIM:To investigate the clinical significance of anti-inflammatory therapy for dry eye syndrome. METHODS: Eighty patients with dry eye syndrome were analyzed retrospectively and divided into the artificial tears group(group A) and combined artificial tears with pranoprofen group(group B). Break-up(BUT) and corneal staining were analyzed two weeks later. RESULTS:There were significant differences in BUT and corneal staining between the two groups after treatment. The combined treatment was better than artificial tears alone in lengthening the BUT of tear film and improving corneal staining. CONCLUSION: The combined therapy of pranoprofen and artificial tears possesses important clinical application value for the patients with dry eye syndrome accompanying irritation.