Evaluation of the relationship between dry eye and cataract surgery

PURPOSE: This study’s aim is to evaluate the presence of dry eye in patients who had cataract surgery in the past 3 months and compare the results with the patients’ healthy eyes.
METHODS: Twenty patients were enrolled and both eyes were examined. Two groups were established, Group 1 was made up of eyes that had cataract surgery in the past 3 months and Group 2 of eyes that had not undergone the intervention. Dry eye presence was tested with tear film break-up time, Schirmer-1 test, Oxford scale, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score assessments.

RESULTS: Median tear film break up-time measurement was lower and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.037). Median OSDI and Oxford scale scores were higher in Group 1 and median Schirmer 1 value was lower in Group 1; however, no statistically significant difference was detected (p=0.063, p=0.545, and p=0.825, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Between eyes with prior cataract surgery and those without, there were significant differences in the results of dry eye tests. We advise ophthalmologists to be aware that cataract surgery can trigger the development of dryness of the ocular surface and when any pathology detected on ocular surface after the surgery, it should not be neglected to prevent more serious consequences and to maintain ocular surface homeostasis.