AIM:To observe the effect of different concentrations of sodium hyaluronate on ocular surface change of dry eye.

METHODS: New Zealand rabbits with dry eye was prepared and treated with 0.1% and 0.3% sodium hyaluronate drops fluid respectively, which were regarded as low concentration treatment group(group B)and high concentration treatment group(group C)respectively. However, the rabbits treated with saline were regarded as control group(group A). And then, corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer test, conjunctival goblet cells, mucin expression and histological changes were observed.

RESULTS: On D7 and D14 after treatment, corneal fluorescein staining scores were lower in group B and group C than that in group A(P<0.05). However, Schirmer test, goblet cell density and mucin content were higher in group B and group C than those in A group(P <0.05). Tear secretion and goblet cell density were higher in Group C than those in group B(P<0.05). Compared with group B and group C, the thicknesses of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell layer were thinner in group A. There were not obvious abnormalities in corneal and conjunctival stroma in each group.

CONCLUSION: The sodium hyaluronate can improve ocular surface damage of dry eye in New Zealand rabbits. The high concentration of sodium hyaluronate has better effect than low concentration.