Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of absorbable lacrimal plugs combined with artificial tears on the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye and assess its impact on vision-related quality of life. Methods In total, 32 patients(64 eyes)diagnosed as having moderate to severe dry eye were enrolled. All patients were randomly divided into two groups; one group received absorbable lacrimal plugs combined with artificial tears, whereas the other one received only artificial tears for routine treatment. Schirmer's test results, tear film break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining, personal symptom and vision-related quality of life scores before and at 1, 3, and 5 months after treatment were analyzed and compared between the groups. Results There were no significant between-group differences in tear film break-up time(P=0.803), Schirmer's test results(P=0.758), corneal fluorescein staining(P=0.735), personal symptom(P=0.385)and vision-related quality of life scores(P=0.883)before treatment. Both groups exhibited significant improvements in all the observed parameters at 1 month(P<0.001), 3 month(P<0.001), and 5 month(P<0.001)after treatment. However, the experimental group exhibited significantly better improvement than the control group in all parameters, except for the Schirmer's test results at 5 months after treatment(P=0.141),the other parameters at 1 month(P<0.001)(<0.001)(<0.001)(0.014)<0.001), 3 month(P<0.001)(0.007)(<0.001)(<0.001)(<0.001), and 5 month(P<0.001)(0.141)(<0.001)(<0.001)(<0.001)were significant differences. Conclusion Treatment with absorbable lacrimal plugs combined with the application of artificial tears evidently alleviated symptoms and improved vision-related quality of life in patients with moderate to severe dry eye.

Key words: Dry eye, Lacrimal plug, Artificial tears, Vision-related quality of life, Schirmer's test