Clinical efficacy of Si-Jun-Zi decoction and artificial tear eye drops for perioperative dry eye management in cataract surgery: A retrospective observational study

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Si-Jun-Zi decoction (SJZD) combined with artificial tear eye drops on tear film, Meibomian gland secretion, and visual quality in patients with dry eye during the perioperative period of cataract surgery (PPCS-DE). A retrospective observational study including 72 patients with PPCS-DE was conducted between January and October 2023. The observation group included 36 patients who had received artificial tear eye drops and SJZD decoction in addition to conventional perioperative treatment. The control group included 36 patients who had received only artificial tear eye drops. The primary outcome was efficacy. Secondary outcomes included the noninvasive breakup time (NIBUT), tear secretion, Meibomian gland secretion character score, discharge ability score, subjective ocular symptom score, visual quality, and safety. Compared with the control group, the observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in NIBUT, tear secretion, scores for Meibomian gland secretion character, and discharge ability (all P  < .05). The subjective ocular symptom score in the observation group was lower than in the control group (all P  < .001). The improvement in the foreign body sensation score from baseline in the observation group was greater than in the control group ( P  = .003). Compared with those in the control group, the total higher-order aberrations, coma, and spherical aberration of the total cornea and total higher-order aberrations corneal anterior surface in the observation group were significantly improved (all P  < .05). The overall efficacy in patients in the observation group was higher than in the control group ( P  < .05). SJZD combined with artificial tear eye drops appears to be an effective and safe therapy for patients with PPCS-DE, and improves visual quality.