Effect of sodium hyaluronate eye drop on tear film stability and tear secretion in patients with rigid gas-permeable contact lens-associated xerophthalmia

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of sodium hyaluronate eye drops on tear film stability and tear secretion in patients suffering from rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGPCL)-associated xerophthalmia.Methods: 88 patients treated at Shangrao Aier Eye Hospital, China with RGPCL-associated xerophthalmia were enrolled in this study from May 2021 to May 2022. They were randomly and equally divided into two groups: a study group (treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops) and a control group (treated with meibomian gland massage). Tear secretion parameters (lacrimal river width, Schirmer I test (S1t), tear fluid lysozyme content), tear film stability indicators (tear film break-up time, tear film thickness, corneal fluorescein staining score), ocular surface disease index (OSDI), therapeutic effect and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results: Following the treatment, study group exhibited significantly improved tear secretion compared to control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, tear film stability indicators significantly improved in study group after treatment, accompanied by a reduction in corneal fluorescein staining score (p < 0.05). Although both groups showed decreased OSDI scores after treatment, the reduction was more substantial in study group. Additionally, the therapeutic effect and incidence of adverse reactions were superior in study group compared to control group.Conclusion: The use of sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of patients with RGPCL-associated xerophthalmia enhances tear secretion, and improves tear film stability and therapeutic outcomes, leading to a reduction in ocular surface disease index and the incidence of adverse reactions. However, this treatment strategy warrants a large-scale clinical trial prior to application in clinical practice.