The effect of autologous serum eye drops combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of dry eye syndrome after cataract surgery

This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of autologous serum eye drops (ASEDs) combined with sodium hyaluronate in treating dry eye disease (DED) after phacoemulsification cataract surgery. This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with DED within 1 week to 1 month after cataract surgery at our hospital (August 2022-July 2023). Patients were divided into a combined group (ASEDs + sodium hyaluronate, n = 48) and a monotherapy group (sodium hyaluronate only, n = 63). Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics, resulting in 48 patients in each group. Both groups were treated for at least 4 weeks. Clinical indicators, including Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer I test (SIT), tear breakup time (BUT), fluorescein staining, conjunctival hyperemia, and conjunctival impression cytology, were assessed before and after treatment. After propensity score matching, baseline characteristics were comparable (P > .05). The mean age was 43.83 ± 8.84 years in the combined group and 43.93 ± 8.84 years in the monotherapy group (P = .865), with male proportions of 47.9% and 45.8%, respectively (P = .779). Other variables, including body mass index, disease duration, OSDI, SIT, and BUT, also showed no significant differences. After 4 weeks, the combined group showed significantly greater improvements. OSDI scores decreased to 14.09 ± 4.22 versus 21.50 ± 4.82 (P < .001); SIT increased to 10.23 ± 2.00 mm versus 8.50 ± 1.50 mm (P < .001); BUT extended to 8.18 ± 0.96 seconds versus 6.00 ± 1.00 seconds (P < .001). Fluorescein staining scores reduced to 0.56 ± 0.22 versus 1.86 ± 0.76 (P < .001), with conjunctival hyperemia and conjunctival impression cytology scores also significantly improved in the combined group (P < .001). ASEDs combined with sodium hyaluronate significantly improve both symptoms and ocular surface parameters in post-cataract DED patients, showing superior efficacy over monotherapy and promising clinical value.