title: [A comparative study of 0.15% sodium hyaluronate versus polyvinyl alcohol in the treatment of dry eyes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of two artificial tears for the treatment of dry eyes: 0.15% sodium hyaluronate and polyvinyl alcohol.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 60 dry eyes in 30 patients. Fifteen of the patients were treated with 0.15% sodium hyaluronate and 15 with polyvinyl alcohol. Five drops a day for one month was given in both groups. Visual acuity, Schirmer's test, tear clearance, dry eye symptoms questionnaire, fluorescein and rose bengal staining, corneal sensibility, bulbar hyperemia, tear detritus, meibomian gland plug, palpebral erythema and edema before and after treatment were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms as judged by the dry eye questionnaire, as well as both fluorescein and rose bengal staining, were significantly improved by 0.15% sodium hyaluronate. The polyvinyl alcohol treated patients did not show a significant improvement in any parameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sodium hyaluronate was more effective than polyvinyl alcohol in the treatment of patients with dry eyes (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2005; 80: 387-394).
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Superficie e Inflamación Ocular, Hospital Clínico Universitario de San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. EBUSQUI@terra.es
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vico
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quereda
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Benítez-Del-Castillo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid