Evaluation of Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction After Cataract Surgery

• Published in: American journal of ophthalmology Vol. 157; no. 6; pp. 1144 - 1150.e1
• Main Authors: Han, Kyung Eun, Yoon, Sang Chul, Ahn, Ji Min, Nam, Sang Min, Stulting, R. Doyle, Kim, Eung Kweon, Seo, Kyoung Yul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2014; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Aged; Cataracts; Dry Eye Syndromes - diagnosis; Dry Eye Syndromes - etiology; Dry Eye Syndromes - physiopathology; Eye surgery; Eyelid Diseases - diagnosis; Eyelid Diseases - etiology; Eyelid Diseases - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Male; Meibomian Glands - pathology; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Phacoemulsification; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative period; Prospective Studies; Studies; Surgery; Tears - chemistry; Tomography; Visual Acuity - physiology; South Korea; California
• ISSN: 0002-9394; 1879-1891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2014.02.036

Purpose To evaluate dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction after cataract surgery. Design Prospective observational case series. Methods We studied 58 eyes of 48 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and evaluated them preoperatively and at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. Ocular symptom scores, lid margin abnormalities, superficial punctate keratopathies (SPKs), tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, lower tear meniscus height, depth, and area using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography, meibum expressibility and images of the meibomian glands using meibography were measured. Results The ocular symptom scores were worse at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Lid margin abnormalities were significantly increased ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) and TBUT decreased postoperatively ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Meibum expressibility decreased at 3 months postoperatively ( P  = 0.016); however, meibography score, SPK, lower tear meniscus height, depth and area and the Schirmer test did not change significantly postoperatively (all P values >0.05). Conclusion Meibomian gland function may be altered without accompanying structural changes after cataract surgery.