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THERAPEUTIC OUTCOME OF SODIUM HYALURONATE EYE DROPS COMBINED WITH RECOMBINANT EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR DERIVATIVE EYE DROPS ON POSTOPERATIVE XEROPHTHALMIA

DENGYAN LIU *, YONGGANG SHUI, PING SHI, WENJIE WU

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Post-operative xerophthalmia is a frequent complication following eye surgery. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of sodium hyaluronate (SH) eye drops combined with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rh-EGF) derivative eye drops in treating this condition. First, the physicochemical properties of SH eye drops, at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.3% were analysed, evaluating viscosity, surface tension, pH and electrical conductivity. A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 85 patients, divided into three groups: Group A (SH eye drops), Group B (rh-EGF eye drops) and Group C (combined SH and rh-EGF eye drops). Postoperative outcomes were assessed using visual acuity, intraocular pressure and the Scale of Quality of Life for Disease with Visual Impairment (SQOL-DVI). Additionally, xerophthalmia severity was evaluated through clinical symptom scoring, Schirmer's test, tear break-up time (BUT), corneal staining and nerve density analysis. Results showed that Group C demonstrated significantly better outcomes compared to Groups A and B, with improved tear secretion, tear film stability, reduced inflammation and enhanced corneal nerve morphology. These findings suggest that combining SH and rh EGF eye drops offers a more effective treatment for postoperative xerophthalmia, with notable therapeutic benefits in improving patients' ocular health.