AIM: To evaluate changes in tear film stability and meibomian gland function and the clinic efficacy of three different artificial tears in patients with preoperative dry eye after phacoemulsification.

METHODS: All 90 cataract patients(90 eyes)with preoperative dry eye who underwent phacoemulsification randomly divided into three groups(Group A treated with protein-free calf blood extract ophthalmic gel; Group B treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops; Group C treated with Vitamin A palmitate eye gel). Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI), Schimer's I test(SⅠt), tear film break time(BUT), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)and meibography were performed for all patients preoperatively and 7, 30 and 90d postoperatively.

RESULTS: No statistical differences existed among the three preoperative groups(P>0.05). Except meibomian gland score, there was no statistical significance among preoperatively and 7, 30, 90d postoperatively of the three groups(P>0.05). At 7d postoperatively, SⅠt and BUT of every group were lower than those before treatment, FL scores and OSDI scores were higher than those preoperative(P<0.05); there were no statistical differences among the three groups(P>0.05). At 30d postoperatively, SIt, BUT, OSDI scores in group A and C were better than in group B, which displayed statistical differences(P<0.05); FL scores in group A were significantly better than in group B and C(P<0.05). At 30, 90d postoperatively, SIt, BUT, FL scores, OSDI scores were better than preoperative results, which displayed statistical differences(P<0.05). There were no statistical differences among the three groups at 90d postoperatively(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Tear film stability and meibomian gland function were affected by phacoemulsification. Topical application of deproteinised calf blood extract eye gel, sodium hyaluronate eye drops and Vitamin A palmitate eye gel all hase a clearly beneficial effect on subjective symptoms. Deproteinised calf blood extract eye gel and Vitamin A Palmitate Eye Gel had more powerful effect on BUT than sodium hyaluronate, however deproteinised calf blood extract eye gel is more effective in superficial punctuate keratopathy.