METHODS: In this prospective and multicenter study, a total of 320 cases(640 eyes)with mild and moderate dry eye were enrolled from 8 Aier Eye Hospitals in Changsha, Chongqing, Wuhan and so on from October 2016 to April 2017. The patients were assigned to eye patch group(160 cases)and artificial tears group(160 cases)based on random number table. The patients in eye-patch group used 1g/L of anthocyanin eye-patch for more than 6h during night sleep, while the patients in artificial tears group used polyvinyl alcohol eye drops for 4 times per day. The evaluation of symptoms and signs were conducted on 1d before the treatment and 14d after the treatment. The evaluation of symptoms adopted the Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI), while the observation of signs included tear secretion test(Schirmer Ⅰ test, SⅠt), first noninvasive tear breakup time(NITBUTf)as well as average noninvasive tear breakup time(NITBUTav)measured by Oculus ocular surface analyser.

RESULTS: OSDI score, NITBUTf and NITBUTav in the two groups after treatment were significantly improved compared with that before treatment, and the difference had a statistical significance(P<0.05). While the difference of SⅠt in the two groups before and after treatment had no statistical significance(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in OSDI score, NITBUTf, NITBUTav and SⅠt between the two groups after treatment(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The 1g/L anthocyanin eye-patch has similar efficacy with artificial tears for mild and moderate dry eye, which can effectively improve the symptoms and tear film stability.