Abstract

Background: Dry eye is a common ophthalmological disorder causing ocular discomfort and affecting individual’s daily activities. Artificial tears had been the mainstay of treatment since long. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the newer treatment modalities.

Objective: This study compares cost-effectiveness of topical medications used for the treatment of dry eye syndrome in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Materials & Methods: A total of 60 patients diagnosed with dry eye were enrolled for a study period of 1 year. Patient of either sex (male/female), aged 18–70 years, and all diagnosed cases of dry eye in ophthalmology outpatient department were selected. Patients were divided into two groups: group I (n = 30) topical carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and group II (n = 30) CMC + NSAID. Diagnostic tests included were Schirmer’s test and tear breakup time (TBUT). Comparison and analysis of cost, efficacy, and safety between the two groups was carried out at the end of the study period (12 weeks) using GraphPad InStat software. p-Value of

Key words: Dry eye, artificial tear, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cost-effectiveness