AIM: To explore the clinical effect of atomization fumigation of self-formulated Zhibai Dihuang Decoction in the treatment of dry eye syndrome after diabetic cataract(DC)surgery with Yin deficiency and dry heat pattern.METHODS: This study is a prospective controlled study. From February 2022 to June 2024, 80 patients(97 eyes)with Yin deficiency and dry heat type DC postoperative dry eye who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria in our hospital were selected. They were randomly divided into an observation group of 40 cases(49 eyes)and a control group of 40 cases(48 eyes)using a random number table method. The control group was treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops, while the observation group was treated with a combination of atomization fumigation of self-formulated Zhibai Dihuang Decoction on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, subjective symptom scores, visual indicators [tear film break-up time(BUT), Schirmer's test(SIt), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)], tear inflammatory factors [interleukin-1 β(IL-1β), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), lipid peroxidation(LPO)], and safety between the two groups.RESULTS: The improvement rate of the observation group was 96%, which was higher than that of the control group(79%, P<0.05). After treatment, the 4 subjective symptom scores in both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the subjective symptom scores of ocular dryness, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, and photophobia in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05). After treatment, BUT and SIt in both groups were higher than those before treatment, and FL was lower than that before treatment, with the observation group having higher BUT and SIt and lower FL than the control group(all P<0.05). After treatment, IL-1β, MCP-1, and LPO in both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the observation group had lower levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, and LPO than the control group(all P<0.05). No adverse reactions were observed in either group.CONCLUSION: The atomization and fumigation of self-formulated Zhibai Dihuang Decoction is significantly effective in treating dry eye syndrome after DC surgery with Yin deficiency and dry heat pattern. It can effectively reduce subjective symptom scores, improve visual indicators and tear inflammatory factors, and has a high level of safety.