AIM: To explore the efficacy of Qiju Dihuang decoction combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of xerophthalmia after cataract surgery.

METHODS: A total of 120 patients with xerophthalmia after cataract surgery admitted to our hospital were selected between January 2018 and January 2020, and randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 60 cases in each group. The control group was treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops alone, and the observation group was given Qiju Dihuang decoction combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops, and they were treated for 1mo. The clinical efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes scores, tear film break-up time(BUT), Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)and quality of life \〖25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire(NEI-VFQ-25)\〗were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:After treatment, the total effective rate of treatment was 93% in observation group and was 75% in control group(P<0.05). After 1mo of treatment, the scores of TCM syndromes(dry eyes, foreign body sensation, photophobia, blurred vision), BUT, SⅠt and FL in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment, and the TCM syndromes scores after treatment in observation group were lower than those in control group, the BUT time was longer than that in control group, the SⅠt level was higher than that in control group while the FL score was lower than that in control group(all P<0.05). During 3mo of follow-up, the NEI-VFQ-25 scores(general health status, mobility impairment, visual impairment)in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment, and the scores of dimensions of NEI-VFQ-25 during 3mo of follow-up in observation group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Qiju Dihuang decoction combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops has exact efficacy in treating xerophthalmia after cataract surgery, and it can effectively alleviate the symptoms of ocular discomfort, improve tear film function, and promote the quality of life of patients.