Efficacy of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops at different frequencies in the treatment of dry eye after FS-LASIK.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of 3% diquafosol sodium (DQS) eye drops at different frequencies in dry eye (DE) after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).

Methods: In this prospective study, DE patients after FS-LASIK were randomly divided into two groups. All patients were administered routine anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs after FS-LASIK. Additionally, both groups were treated with DQS, at frequencies of 4 (DQS4 group) and 6 (DQS6 group) times daily. Corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, non-invasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), lipid layer thickness (LLT), and incomplete blink rate (IBR) were assessed in patients preoperatively and at 1wk, 1, and 3mo postoperatively. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was also administered.

Results: Totally 119 patients (238 eyes) were randomly divided into the DQS4 group (60 individuals with 120 eyes) and DQS6 group (59 individuals with 118 eyes). From 1wk to 1mo after FS-LASIK, the CFS score in the DQS6 group decreased with statistical significance (P=0.014), while the DQS4 group showed an upward trend. Comparing with preoperative values, the NIBUT of both groups was significantly prolonged at various time points after FS-LASIK (P<0.05). Within 1mo post FS-LASIK, both groups had significantly higher OSDI scores compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). At postoperative 3mo, the DQS4 group recovered to a level similar to that before surgery (P>0.05), while the DQS6 group remained a little higher than preoperative values (P>0.05). The TMH levels in the DQS4 group increased significantly at 1wk postoperatively (P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant change in the TMH levels in the DQS6 group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in IBR and LLT between the two groups within 1mo postoperatively. At postoperative 3mo, the LLT in the DQS4 group was significantly higher than that in the DQS6 group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Within 1mo post-FS-LASIK, applying DQS six times daily is superior to four daily applications in improving CFS score, and in increasing NIBUT meanwhile. After 1mo, applying DQS four times daily also effectively alleviate DE symptoms and improve DE signs. Therefore, we recommend DE patients using DQS eye drops 6 times daily within 1mo after FS-LASIK, and maintaining it 4 times daily until 3mo postoperatively.