AIM: To compare and analyze the effect of recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)eye drops and hydroxyl indican eye drops on the tear film stability and dry eye symptoms after age-related cataract surgery.

METHODS: A total of 115 patients(115 affected eyes)with dry eyes after age-related cataract surgery were divided into the bFGF group, the hydroxyl indican group and the blank control group by the random number table method. The blank control group was only given routine anti-inflammatory treatment, and on the basis, the bFGF group and the hydroxyl indican group were treated with bFGF eye drops and hydroxyl indican eye drops respectively. The clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, changes in scores of dry eye symptoms, Schirmer test(SⅠt), tear film break-up time(BUT)and corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)scores at different time points were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS: The total markedly effective rates in the bFGF group(89.5%)was higher than that in the hydroxyl indican group(70.3%)or the blank control group(47.5%)(P<0.05). Scores of dry eye symptoms, CFS, SⅠt and BUT in the three groups at 2 and 5wk after surgery were significantly different(P<0.05). The above-mentioned indexes in the bFGF group at 2 and 5wk after surgery were significantly better than those in the hydroxyl indican group and the blank control group, and better in the hydroxyl indican group than the blank control group(P<0.05). There were no obvious adverse reactions.

CONCLUSION: The tear film is unstable in early stage after age-related cataract surgery, and there are dry eye symptoms. The intervention with bFGF eye drops and hydroxyl indican eye drops can effectively restore the tear film stability and significantly relieve dry eye symptoms, and the effect of bFGF eye drops is more significant.