AIM:To investigate the effect of diquafosol sodium(SD)eye drops combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops on improving tear film stability after wearing orthokeratology lenses.

METHODS:Prospective study. A total of 82 patients(82 right eyes)who were recruited from the outpatient department of Anhui Aier Eye Hospital from March to August 2022. Participants were assigned to three groups: sodium hyaluronate(SH)group(30 eyes), SD group(24 eyes), and sodium diquafosol combined with sodium hyaluronate(CG)group(28 eyes)according to random number table method. All groups wore the same brand of orthokeratology lens. Non-invasive tear breakup time(NIBUT), non-invasive tear meniscus height(NITMH)and lipid layer thickness were examined before treatment, and after wearing orthokeratology lens for 1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo. Corneal spot staining was also recorded.

RESULTS:The NITMH and NIBUT of CG group and the SD group at 1 mo after treatment were higher than those before wearing lenses(both P<0.05), and the NIBUT and NITMH of the CG group were 19.74±3.29 s and 0.30±0.05 mm, respectively, which were better than those of the SD group(NIBUT: 16.09±2.98 s, NITMH: 0.22±0.08 mm)and the SH group(NIBUT: 15.67±3.90 s, NITMH: 0.22±0.04 mm; all P<0.01). There were no significant differences in lipid layer thickness between the groups(all P>0.05). The incidence of corneal staining did not differ significantly among the groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:The combination of diquafosol sodium and sodium hyaluronate eye drops demonstrates a superior effect in improving NIBUT and NITMH after wearing orthokeratology lenses for 1 mo, effectively enhancing tear film stability in patients wearing orthokeratology lenses.