Effects of cataract surgery on symptoms and findings of dry eye in subjects with and without preexisting dry eye

• Published in: Japanese journal of ophthalmology Vol. 64; no. 4; pp. 429 - 436
• Main Authors: Shimabukuro, Mikiko, Maeda, Naoyuki, Koh, Shizuka, Abe, Keiichi, Kobayashi, Reiko, Nishida, Kohji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.07.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acuity; Cataracts; Clinical Investigation; Control methods; Dimpling; Eye; Eye (anatomy); Eye surgery; Fluorescein; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Ophthalmology; Staining; Surface stability; Surgery; Visual acuity; Wettability; Cataract surgery; Tear film breakup pattern; Tear film breakup time; Dry eye
• ISSN: 0021-5155; 1613-2246; 1613-2246
• DOI: 10.1007/s10384-020-00744-1

Purpose To compare dry eye symptoms and findings in post cataract surgery eyes’ with and without preexisting dry eye. Study design Prospective, observational case–control study. Methods Sixty-seven eyes that had undergone cataract surgery were included; 48 were classified into group D (preexisting dry eye) and 19 into group N (no preexisting dry eye). No subjects received perioperative treatment for dry eye. We evaluated between-group differences in symptom scores, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), tear film breakup time (BUT), tear film breakup pattern (BUP), and ocular surface fluorescein staining scores, at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Results Symptoms were unchanged in group N, but improved in group D ( P  < .001) postoperatively. CDVA was improved after surgery in both groups ( P  < .001). BUT was shorter preoperatively in group D than in group N although this difference was absent 1 month postoperatively. Fluorescein staining scores significantly increased at 1 month postoperatively in group N ( P  = .01), but did not change in group D. During the perioperative period, the predominant BUP was the random break pattern in both groups (≥ 85%). From 1 week to 3 months, dimple break patterns decreased in group D ( P  = .007), whereas spot break patterns increased ( P  = .01). Conclusions Cataract surgery has an influence on tear film stability and the ocular surface. There was either a transient improvement or worsening of ocular surface wettability in some patients without preexisting dry eye.