Comparison of autologous serum versus artificial tears in the management of dry eyes syndrome.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the reduction in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score from baseline by using autologous serum and artificial tears in managing dry eye syndrome. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. Period: June-2025 to November-2025. Methods: A total of 70 patients with dry eye syndrome were included and divided into groups 1 and 2 without randomization in alternating fashion. Group-1 was given autologous serum eye drops for 3 months and Group-2 was given artificial tears for 3 months. Comparison of pre- and post-intervention median OSDI score within the groups was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Intergroup comparison of median OSDI score and median % reduction in OSDI score from baseline was done using Mann Whitney U-test. Analysis was done with SPSS software version 25. Results: Composite median age of DES sufferers was 41.50 (22.00) years. There were 41 (58.60%) male and 29 (41.40%) female patients. In Group-1, median pre-intervention OSDI, post-intervention OSDI score and % reduction in OSDI score from baseline was 61.00 (17.00), 32.00 (36.00) and 47.54 (44.76) % while in Group-2, these were 64.00 (15.00); (p = 0.400), 34.00 (12.00); (p = 0.184) and 52.50 (10.82) %; (p = 0.025), respectively. There was no significant difference of post-intervention DES severity among the study groups (p = 0.628). Conclusion: Autologous serum provides comparable results to artificial tears in dry eyes syndrome with significantly increased reduction in OSDI score.