Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate dry eye signs and symptoms before and after cataract surgery.
Methods :
46 eyes of 46 patients implanted with a monofocal intra-ocular lens (Rayner 800s) were evaluated before, 1 month and at 3-6 months after surgery. Symptomatology was assessed using the validated Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) and tear film stability was measured using 3 repeats of non-invasive breakup time (NIBUT). Subjective refraction was performed postoperatively and glare was assessed with halometry across 8 orientations (Aston Halometer).
Results :
DEQ-5 was significantly higher after surgery (pre-surgery 22.4 ± 0.5 points vs. 32.2± 8.4 points (p=0.03) and 24.6± 7.6 points (p=0.045) at 1- and 3-6 months post-operatively. Pre-operative tear film stability and dry eye symptoms were not significantly correlated to post-operative refractive error compared to targeted residual prescription (r=-0.233, p=0.437; r=-0.258, p=0.532; respectively). Post-operative tear film stability (r=-0.133, p=0.679) and dry eye symptoms (r=-0.221, p=0.108) were not significantly correlated to glare at the 1 month or 3-6 months’ follow-up visits respectively.
Conclusions :
Self-reported dry eye (discomfort, dryness and watery eyes) up to 6 months after surgery was described to be one of the most significant complaints after cataract surgery in the study population, but this was not associated with induced dysphotopsia. Tear film stability and symptom severity before surgery were not associated with a poorer refractive outcome.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.