MANAGEMENT OF DRY EYES IN COMPUTER USERS- 0.5% CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE VERSUS 0.3% HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE

BACKGROUND \nDry eye is characterised by eye irritation caused by change in the precorneal tear film instability. In modern society, \ncomputer usage is almost universal. Computer usage has been identified as one of the risk factor for developing dry \neye. Various treatment options have been studied to relieve the symptoms of dry eye. \nMATERIALS AND METHODS \nA total of 100 computer users were included in this study. Patients were divided into group A and group B. Group A subjects \n(n=50) were given 0.5% CMC eye drops and Group B (n=50) were given 0.3% HPMC eye drops. Symptoms and signs were \nassessed at four intervals (2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months). \nRESULTS \nOcular symptoms were dramatically reduced in Group A (0.5% CMC eye drops) when compared to Group B (0.3% HPMC eye \ndrops). \nCONCLUSION \nBoth drugs were found to be effective in the treatment of dry eye. However, 0.5% CMC drops was found to be better in lowering \nthe severity of dry eye symptoms.