Evaluation of efficacy of hyaluronic acid preservative-free preparation 0.3 % in the prevention of secondary dry eye syndrome in patients after cataract phacoemulsification

Purpose: to determine the clinical efficacy of a non-preservative drug based on sodium hyaluronate 0.3 % (Gilan) in the correction of secondary dry eye syndrome (DES) manifestations in patients after cataract phacoemulsification (CPE), based on monitoring clinical and functional characteristics of the ocular surface. Materials and methods. 62 patients with immature cataracts underwent CPE with IOL implantation. Special examination techniques (Schirmer's test, Norn test, assessment of conjunctival hyperemia on the ORA scale (Ocular Redness Analysis)) were performed before the operation, 7 days and 30 days after it. The main group of patients (31 patients) received, in addition to the standard postoperative treatment, a non-preservative drug based on sodium hyaluronate 0.3 % (Gilan), whilst the control group (31 patients) received standard therapy. Results. The parameters studied showed a significant worsening in patients of both groups by the 7 th day after surgery, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. 30 days after CPE, the values of the Schirmer I test in the main group increased from 7.4 ± 2.3 mm (7 days after surgery) to 12.6 ± 1.7 mm, which significantly exceeded the respective values in patients of the control group: from 7.2 ± 2.1 mm (7 days after surgery) to 8.7 ± 2.0 mm (p < 0.001). Norn test scores also increased from 4.3 ± 1.9 s (7 days after surgery) to 7.9 ± 1.3 s in the main group and from 4.1 ± 2.1 s (7 days after the operation) to 5.3 ± 1.2 s in the control group with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The use of a non-preservative drug based on sodium hyaluronate 0.3 % (Gilan) as part of combined therapy after CPE helps to effectively reduce the main manifestations of dry eye syndrome and improves postoperative rehabilitation.