Comparative efficacy of pranoprofen with sodium hyaluronate or polyvinyl alcohol in postoperative dry eye and corneal endothelial function

Background: Dry eye following eye surgery represents a common obstacle to recovery and general life satisfaction. Pranoprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, frequently co-administered with adjuvants such as sodium hyaluronate and polyvinyl alcohol, represents a common response to dry eye. The relative efficacy of pranoprofen and sodium hyaluronate compared with pranoprofen and polyvinyl alcohol as a treatment for dry eye and as an aid to corneal endothelial function will be ascertained. Objectives: To assess how pranoprofen with sodium hyaluronate (Group B) compares with pranoprofen with polyvinyl alcohol (Group A) in relation to alleviating and preventing postoperative dry eye and improving endothelial function. Methods: A total of 159 patients were randomly assigned into either Group A (n = 80), who received pranoprofen and polyvinyl alcohol, or Group B (n = 79), who received pranoprofen and sodium hyaluronate. The parameters measured preoperatively and at one month postoperatively were dry eye symptoms, tear film stability (tear break-up time and Schirmer I test), corneal staining, endothelial cell function (percentages of hexagonal cells and endothelial cell density), and serological factors (MMP-2 and STRA6 Results: Group B had quicker relief from dryness, redness, and fatigue (p<0.05), with an improvement in tear break-up time, Schirmer I testing, and staining scores (p<0.05). Endothelial function values were more advantageous for Group B, with higher hexagonal cell percentage and endothelial cell density and lower MMP-2 and STRA6 expression (p<0.05). The rate of adverse effects was similar for both groups. Conclusion: Pranoprofen with sodium hyaluronate appears more effective than pranoprofen with polyvinyl alcohol in relieving postoperative dry eye and promoting corneal endothelial healing, indicating that sodium hyaluronate would be a better option for postoperative recovery.