Short-Term Topical Anti-Inflammatory Therapy Combined With Lubrication In Dry Eye Syndrome: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a multifactorial inflammatory disorder of the ocular surface characterized by tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, and chronic inflammation. Beyond ocular discomfort, DES significantly affects visual performance and quality of life. Increasing evidence highlights the central role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of moderate to severe disease, supporting the use of anti-inflammatory therapy in selected patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of short-term topical anti-inflammatory therapy combined with lubricating treatment in patients with dry eye syndrome.

This retrospective comparative study was conducted at a tertiary ophthalmology center and included patients diagnosed with DES between January and December 2024.

One hundred patients were enrolled and allocated into two groups (n=50 each). Group 1 received carbomer gel 0.2% combined with dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops, while Group 2 received carbomer gel 0.2% alone, with instillation frequency adjusted according to clinical severity. Baseline and follow-up assessments included slit-lamp examination, fluorescein corneal staining, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test without anesthesia, and symptom evaluation using the QSD-QOL questionnaire.

Both groups demonstrated improvement; however, the combination therapy group showed significantly greater benefit. TBUT increased more markedly and corneal fluorescein staining decreased more substantially in Group 1. Schirmer test values improved moderately in both groups. Symptom relief (foreign body sensation, pruritus, burning, reflex tearing) was significantly greater in Group 1 (66% satisfactory to very satisfactory improvement) compared with Group 2 (44%). Topical dexamethasone was well tolerated, with no significant intraocular pressure elevation or serious adverse events during follow-up.

The addition of short-term topical anti-inflammatory therapy to lubricating treatment provides superior symptomatic and clinical improvement in patients with DES, supporting the key role of inflammation in disease pathogenesis. Careful patient selection and monitoring remain essential to ensure safety and optimize outcomes.