AIM: To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of different artificial tears for patients with xerophthalmia after phacoemulsification.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis on the clinical data of 150 cases(150 eyes)treated by phacoemulsification in our hospital from March 2014 to April 2017. And according to the artificial tears used, they were divided into Group A(control group)and B(application of sodium hyaluronate eye drops), Group C(used carbomer gel eye drops),50 cases 50 eyes in every group. We compared and analyzed the BUT, FL, SⅠt findings, OSDI scores preoperatively and 1wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively, and visual acuity before and 3mo after operation in the three groups.

RESULTS: There were no differences in BUT, FL, SⅠt and OSDI scores between the three groups before and at 1wk after the operation(P>0.05). At 1mo after operation, the levels of BUT and SⅠt in Group B and Group C were higher than those in Group A, and the scores of OSDI and FL were lower than those in Group A(P<0.05); between Group B and Group C there was no difference in BUT, FL, SⅠt levels and OSDI score(P>0.05). After 3mo, the levels of BUT and SⅠt in the Group B and Group C were higher than that in the Group A, and the FL level and OSDI score were lower than those in the Group A(P<0.05); the levels of BUT and SⅠt in the Group C were higher than those in the Group B, and the FL level and the OSDI score were lower than those in the Group B(P<0.05). The visual acuity of the three groups was improved at 3mo after the operation(P<0.05), and there was no difference in LogMAR visual acuity between the three groups before and 3mo after operation(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: different types of artificial tear can improve the symptoms of dry eyes in patients age-related cataract after phacoemulsification, in which carbomer eye drops or lipid containing artificial tears improve postoperative dry eye symptoms and signs, and will not affect the recovery of visual acuity.