What does this research mean for the field?

No single topical eye-drop regimen demonstrates consistently favorable effects across all postoperative ocular-surface outcomes for dry eye after cataract surgery, although specific combinations offer outcome-specific benefits. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To compare the efficacy of various topical eye-drop regimens for tear-film stability, tear secretion, corneal epithelial damage, and patient-reported symptoms after cataract surgery.

September 2, 2026Ophthalmology and TherapyOpen Access

Comparative Efficacy of Topical Eye-Drop Regimens for Dry Eye After Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

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Authors

BSBoyang SongXian Central Hospital YLYukang LiXian Central Hospital CLChengfei LiuQingdao University

Discussion

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Implication

Network meta-analysis reveals varied benefits among topical eye drops in post-cataract surgery patients, highlighting that no single regimen consistently optimizes all ocular-surface outcomes.

Key Points

To compare the efficacy of various topical eye-drop regimens for tear-film stability, tear secretion, corneal epithelial damage, and patient-reported symptoms after cataract surgery.
Conducted a systematic review and frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42026138249) searching nine databases through January 30, 2026.
Identified 47 randomized controlled trials (102 arms, 4,920 eyes assessed) with 38 trials (81 arms, 3,898 analysis units) contributing to a 19-node network meta-analysis at 1-month follow-up.
Diquafosol plus hyaluronic acid (mean difference [MD] 4.17 s, 95% CI 1.99–6.35) and cyclosporine plus carboxymethylcellulose (MD 3.97 s, 95% CI 1.60–6.34) demonstrated significantly greater 1-month tear-film breakup time versus routine care under moderate-confidence evidence.
Cyclosporine plus deproteinized calf blood extract suggested increased tear-film breakup time based on low-confidence evidence (MD 4.98 s, 95% CI 1.93–8.03).
No single regimen showed consistent benefits across all ocular-surface endpoints, with most top-ranked treatments supported by only one or two small trials affected by risk of bias or local incoherence.

Cite This Study

Song et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e305c562ede874ec782b https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-026-01484-0

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Implication

Network meta-analysis reveals varied benefits among topical eye drops in post-cataract surgery patients, highlighting that no single regimen consistently optimizes all ocular-surface outcomes.

Comparative Efficacy of Topical Eye-Drop Regimens for Dry Eye After Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Comparative Efficacy of Topical Eye-Drop Regimens for Dry Eye After Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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