AIM:To observe the effects of recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF)eye drops on xerophthalmia after cataract surgery and its influence on tear film stability.

METHODS: The clinical data of 114 patients(158 eyes)with xerophthalmia after cataract surgery were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment methods of xerophthalmia, the patients were divided into study group(rhEGF+sodium hyaluronate group)and control group(sodium hyaluronate group). After 4wk of treatment, the efficacy and dry eye symptoms(dry eye questionnaire)were evaluated, and the BUT, SⅠt and FL were examined. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in tear were detected.

RESULTS: The total effective rate in study group was greater than that in control group(P<0.05). After 4wk treatment, the BUT and SⅠt in the two groups were higher than those before treatment, and the indexes in study group were higher than those in control group(P<0.01). The dry eye questionnaire score and FL and levels of tears IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were lower than those before treatment, and the indexes in study group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Addition of rhEGF eye drops for xerophthalmia after cataract surgery can significantly improve dry eye symptoms, tear film stability, tear secretion and corneal epithelial cell integrity, and reduce inflammatory response, and it has significant efficacy.