A Prospective Study of Dry Eye in Patients after Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface with symptoms of discomfort,
visual disturbance, etc. with potential damage to the ocular surface. Additionally, it is followed by increased
tear film osmolarity and ocular surface inflammation. Schirmer’s I and tear film breakup time is performed
to determine the dryness level as mild, moderate, and severe.
Aim : The research aims to establish the incidence of dry eye in patients after small incision cataract surgery.
Material and Method: 100 patients who met inclusion criteria were enlisted for cataract surgery. Every
patient was asked about symptoms related to dry eye and then they underwent Schirmer’s test 1 and tear film
breakup time test. After this, patients were subjected to surgery with a 6-7 mm superior incision. On 1st, 7th
and 30th day after operation schirmer’s and tear film breakup time test was again performed. The dryness of
the eyes was then analysed and graded in accordance with the 2007 DEWS classification.
Result: Out of 100 samples, 16% had dry eye preoperatively which increased to 89% postoperatively on 1st
day. Out of these 89 patients having dry eye postoperatively, 35 were male and 54 were female. Gradually it
reduced after 7th day and 30th day postoperatively. The mean age of the patients was 66.15 years with SD
6.10. The schirmer’s test I and tear film breakup time p values were clinically significant< 0.0001.
Conclusion: After manual small incision cataract surgery, moderate to severe dryness was observed. This
dryness stabilized gradually after 1st week of surgery and improved significantly further after one month
with the use of lubricants, antibiotic and steroid combination.