Amudha Vadivu Subramaniyan
BACKGROUND
To study the conjunctival and tear film changes in patients of dry eye using PVA + Povidone with and without preservatives- A
clinicocytological study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A prospective, randomised, case-control study of 660 newly-diagnosed cases of dry eye (Schirmer’s basic secretion test <10
mm) were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups, A, B and C, which were prescribed with polyvinyl alcohol (1.4%) and
povidone (0.6%) with benzalkonium chloride (0.01%), chlorobutanol (0.5%) and preservative free UNIMS, respectively. 20
cases (Group D) age and sex matched were taken as controls for baseline evaluation. Patients were studied at initial visit and
followed up at every 2 weeks for a period of 12 weeks and assessed for clinical symptoms, conjunctival signs, tear film break
up time(BUT) and Schirmer’s at each visit. Conjunctival Impression Cytology (CIC) was done at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, after
starting treatment for dry eye in the first visit. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.
RESULTS
All the tear substitutes in the study brought about a significant improvement in subjective symptoms by 8 weeks (p<0.04). Tear
film studies also showed significant (p<0.001) improvement in all the study groups by 8 weeks. However, a significant
improvement (p<0.014) in group CD was seen only at 12 weeks. No significant reversal of squamous metaplasia was seen.
CONCLUSION
PVA+Povidone with and without preservatives were found to be equally effective.
