Effects of autologous serum and artificial tears on corneal sensation and tear film stability in patients with mild to moderate xerophthalmia after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the effects of autologous serum plus artificial tears on corneal sensation and tear film stability in patients with mild to moderate xerophthalmia after cataract surgery.

METHODS

A total of 150 patients with mild to moderate xerophthalmia after one-time cataract surgery from March 2022 to September 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a control group (n = 75) and a study group (n = 75). The control group was treated with artificial tears (polyvinyl alcohol eye drops), while the study group was given autologous serum plus artificial tears. The treatment lasted for four weeks in both groups. The clinical efficacy was observed and adverse reactions were recorded.

RESULTS

The clinical effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group (96.00% versus 86.67%) (χ = 4.127, P < 0.05). After four weeks of treatment, the corneal sensation was superior to that before treatment in both groups, and it was better in the study group than that in the control group (Z = 2.053, P < 0.05). In comparison with the pre-treatment period, the tear film break-up time (BUT) increased, while the corneal fluorescein staining (FL) score and levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β dropped in both groups after treatment, and the study group had longer BUT and a lower FL score than those of the control group (t = 6.492, 7.033, 7.140, 4.709 and 3.059, P < 0.05). The incidence rates of adverse reactions were similar between the two groups (χ = 0.132, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Autologous serum plus artificial tears can improve the corneal sensation and tear film stability and alleviate inflammatory responses without increasing adverse reactions in patients with mild to moderate xerophthalmia after cataract surgery.