AIM: To investigate the effect of application of corneal protective agent(2% hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, 2% HPMC)on the stability of ocular surface tear film after phacoemulsification in age-related cataract(ARC)patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: Prospective parallel controlled trial. Totally 107 cases(107 eyes)of the patients with ARC and type 2 diabetes who underwent phacoemulsification in our hospital from March 2017 to May 2018 were included in this study. According to the random number table, the patients were divided into HPMC group and BSS group. All 57 eyes were enrolled in HPMC group and 2% HPMC was evenly covered on the corneal surface during operation; 50 eyes were enrolled in BSS group and BSS was continuously dripped on the cornea during operation. Break up time(BUT), Schimer Ⅰ test(SⅠt)and corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)were performed 1d before operation and 7d, 30d, 60d and 90d after operation, and observed their changes.

RESULTS: At 7d, 30d and 60d after cataract surgery, compared with BSS group, BUT was significantly prolonged and CFS staining spots were significantly reduced in HPMC group; At 7d after surgery, SⅠt in HPMC group was significantly lower than that in BSS group; At 30d and 60d after surgery, SⅠt in HPMC group was significantly higher than that in BSS group(P<0.05). At 60d after operation, there was no difference in BUT, SⅠt and CFS between HPMC group and preoperative group(P>0.05), while there was difference in BUT, SⅠt and CFS between BSS group and preoperative group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:2% HPMC in phacoemulsification can protect the stability of tear film on the ocular surface of ARC patients with type 2 diabetes. The tear film stability indexes can be restored to the preoperative level 60d after operation.