Punctal occlusion versus artificial tears and lid hygiene in the management of Dry Anophthalmic Socket Syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of punctal occlusion and artificial tears combined with lid hygiene in the treatment of dry anophthalmic socket syndrome (DASS).

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, parallel group-controlled trial enrolled 40 patients with DASS. Patients were randomized to receive punctal occlusion (group A) or artificial tears and eyelid wipes (group B). Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) score, tear meniscus height (TMH) and Schirmer I test (ST) were assessed at baseline visit and follow-up visit at 3 months.

RESULTS

At the 3-month evaluation, mean SPEED, TMH and ST showed significant improvement from baseline in group A (p < .001 for all comparisons) and group B (p < .001 for all comparisons). Comparing both groups, the results were in favor punctal occlusion group in TMH (p = .012), and ST (p = .005). No statistically significant differences were found comparing SPEED score between both groups (p = .055).

CONCLUSIONS

Both punctal occlusion and the combination of lubricant artificial tears with eyelid wipes may help in the treatment of DASS.