Objective To explore the role of meibomian gland massage combined with the ROY adaptation model in nursing of xerophthalmia.

Methods medical records of 286 patients with xerophthalmia admitted from March 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into conventional group (141 cases) and combined group (145 cases) according to different intervention methods. Both groups received optimized pulsed light therapy. The conventional group received meibomian gland massage and routine nursing for xerophthalmia, while the combined group received additional nursing based on the ROY adaptation model. The improvement effects on subjective symptoms (dryness, foreign body sensation, fatigue, photophobia, and burning sensation) as well as psychological status Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), self-efficacyGeneral Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), ocular surface statusOcular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and quality of lifethe scale of quality of life for diseases with visual impairment (SQOL-DVI) before and after intervention were compared between the two groups.

Results The disappearance time of dryness, foreign body sensation, fatigue, photophobia, and burning sensation were shorter in the combined group than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the scores of all dimensions and the total score of SCL-90 decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention, and the scores in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the scores for facing problems, coping with problems, and the total score increased in both groups compared with those before the intervention, and the scores in the combined group were higher than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the scores for ocular symptoms, visual function, environmental triggers factors, and the total score decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention, and the scores in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the scores for general health status, symptoms and visual function, social activities, mental health, and the total score increased in both groups compared with those before the intervention, and the scores in the combined group were higher than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions Meibomian gland massage combined with nursing based on the ROY adaptation model can improve dry eye symptoms, adjust the ocular surface status, enhance self-efficacy, and improve the quality of life of patients.