AIM:To study the effect and safety of sodium hyaluronate combined with loteprednol eye drops compared to pure sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the clinical treatment of dry eye in children.

METHODS: From August 2014 to August 2016, 128 children(256 eyes)with water deficient dry eye treated with artificial tears in our hospital were randomly divided into two groups, 64 cases(128 eyes)in each, the combined group and the control group, according to the random number table method. The combined group was given sodium hyaluronate combined with loteprednol treatment; the control group was given simple treatment of sodium hyaluronate eye drops. Before and after treatment for 2 and 6wk for ocular surface analysis system(Keratograph 5M)examination, determination of tear break-up time(BUT), tear meniscus height(TMH), meibomian gland infrared photography, slit lamp observation of corneal fluorescein staining, the observation indexes were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: After 2wk of treatment, the TMH and BUT level of the two groups were all higher than those before treatment(P<0.05). The scores of meibomian gland score and corneal fluorescein staining were lower than those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). After 6wk of treatment, the TMH and BUT level of the two groups were all higher than those before treatment and 2wk after treatment; The meibomian gland score and scores of corneal fluorescein staining were lower than those before treatment and 2wk after treatment, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). After 2wk and 6wk of treatment, TMH and BUT level combined groups were higher than those in the control group, while the score of meibomian gland and corneal fluorescein staining scores were lower than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Intraocular pressure between the two groups before and after treatment was not significantly different(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Sodium hyaluronate combined with loteprednol eye drops is more effective in the clinical treatment of dry eye children than the use of sodium hyaluronate eye drops, while the safety and tolerance are better.