Dry Eye Disease Following Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To know the changes in tear film and the presence or absence of Dry eye disease (DED) after cataract surgery.

Study Design: Prospective descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Federal Government Services Hospital Islamabad, Jan. 3-Dec 2013.

Material and Methods: The baseline characteristics of 192 patients were recorded and Dry eye (DE) questionnaire was administered by a trained interviewer. Dry eye tests were performed on day 0 (baseline), day 7, 30 and day 90 after phacoemulsification under the same physical conditions by a single surgeon. SPSS version 17 was used and data analyzed for frequencies/percentages. Diagnosis was made on three of five parameters.

Results: Of the 192 patients, 121 (63%) patients had dry eyes and 71 (37%) patients did not have any dry eyes. After surgery, symptoms of DE increased but all dry eye tests declined. Maximum change in both sexes was on 7^th post-operative day and in those above 60 years of age. Among all patients the height of marginal tear strip was nearly 1 mm and was discarded for grading. On 30^th day the tests improved gradually but interestingly preoperative values were not achieved even after sixty days.

Conclusion: DE symptoms and signs appeared within seven days which improved later on slowly.

Key Words; Dry eye, cataract surgery, corneal nerves, dry eye tests.