Publication:

Comparative study of dry eye after Phacoemulsification in senile cataract

Background Corneal surgery has been identified as one of the risk factors for the development of dry eye disease by decreasing corneal sensation and changing the contour of the ocular surface as a result of the inflammation caused by surgical trauma. Clear cornea phacoemulsification may also alter the ocular surface and disrupts normal tear function in eyes.  The  purpose  of  study  to  compare  dry eye  caused  by phacoemulsification   in  different  age  groups  in senile cataract  patient with no pre-existing  dry eye.

Methods After  taking  informed  consent  50  eyes  of  50 patient  of  senile  cataract  with  no preoperative  dry eye  had  under gone   2.75 mm  superior clear corneal phacoemulsification  with  IOL implantation.  After ruling out  pre-existing  ocular disease, surgery ,trauma and systemic diseases, Dry  Eye  evaluation by  schirmer1test , FTBUT and  lissamine  conjunctival  staining was done pre and  postoperatively at 1st ,4th and  12th week .Data was collected and analysed on IBM SPSS version 23 by paired T test.

Results In all age group, S1T and FTBUT, conjunctival staining showed   lowest   values at 1stweek (p <0.05) and by 12th week values has come near to base line value (p <0.05). Results showed only 38% of cases in 45-55 age group, 50% in 56-65 age group and all the cases showed dry eye in 66-75 age group at 12th week.

Conclusions We  have concluded that  phacoemulsification  surgery  affects  the  tear  film  stability and the  production of tears postoperatively and causes  dry  eye  more  in  the  older  age  group.