AIM: To discuss the artificial tears on the tear film of diabetic patients with dry eye preoperatively, and the influence on the tear film's fuctional after phacoemulsification.

METHODS: Fifty-four diabetic patients with dry eye(60 eyes)were followed up before phacoemulsification. Preoperatively, group A(30 eyes in 28 cases)was treated with Hydroxyl Indican eye drops and group B(30 eyes in 26 cases)was not treated. Postoperatively, both group A and B were treated with Tobramycin Dexamethasone eye drops, Oprah Winfrey Ibuprofen eye drops and Hydroxyl Indican eye drops. Dry eye symptoms, break up time(BUT), Schirmer Ⅰ test(S Ⅰ t), fluorescein stain test(FI)were measured at 3d preoperatively, and 1, 7, 30, 90d postoperatively.

RESULTS: At 3d preoperatively, there was no statistical differences between the two groups for dry eye symptoms, BUT, SⅠt, FI(P>0.05). At 1 and 7d postoperatively, there were significant statistical differents between the two groups for dry eye symptoms(P<0.05). And dry eye symptoms scores of group A were less than that of group B. At 1, 7, 30d postoperatively, BUT was longer, FL was less, SIt was increased in group A, with significant statistical differences(all P<0.05). At 90d postoperatively, two groups of dry eye symptoms, BUT, SⅠt, FI had no statistical significance(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Using artificial tears before phacoemulsification can improve symptoms of the diabetic patients with dry eye and accelerate the recovery of the tear film.