Comparative efficacy of pranoprofen with sodium hyaluronate or polyvinyl alcohol in postoperative dry eye and corneal endothelial function.

BACKGROUND

Dry eye following eye surgery represents a common obstacle to recovery and general life satisfaction. Pranoprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, frequently co-administered with adjuvants such as sodium hyaluronate and polyvinyl alcohol, represents a common response to dry eye. The relative efficacy of pranoprofen and sodium hyaluronate compared with pranoprofen and polyvinyl alcohol as a treatment for dry eye and as an aid to corneal endothelial function will be ascertained.

OBJECTIVES

To assess how pranoprofen with sodium hyaluronate (Group B) compares with pranoprofen with polyvinyl alcohol (Group A) in relation to alleviating and preventing postoperative dry eye and improving endothelial function.

METHODS

A total of 159 patients were randomly assigned into either Group A (n = 80), who received pranoprofen and polyvinyl alcohol, or Group B (n = 79), who received pranoprofen and sodium hyaluronate. The parameters measured preoperatively and at one month postoperatively were dry eye symptoms, tear film stability (tear break-up time and Schirmer I test), corneal staining, endothelial cell function (percentages of hexagonal cells and endothelial cell density), and serological factors (MMP-2 and STRA6

Results

Group B had quicker relief from dryness, redness, and fatigue (p<0.05), with an improvement in tear break-up time, Schirmer I testing, and staining scores (p<0.05). Endothelial function values were more advantageous for Group B, with higher hexagonal cell percentage and endothelial cell density and lower MMP-2 and STRA6 expression (p<0.05). The rate of adverse effects was similar for both groups.

CONCLUSION

Pranoprofen with sodium hyaluronate appears more effective than pranoprofen with polyvinyl alcohol in relieving postoperative dry eye and promoting corneal endothelial healing, indicating that sodium hyaluronate would be a better option for postoperative recovery.