Publication:

The relationship between cataract surgery technique and the incidence of dry eye syndrome at Wangaya Regional General Hospital, Denpasar, Bali

Background Cataracts are opacities in the natural intraocular lens that focuses light entering the eye onto the retina. These opacities can cause decreased vision and can eventually lead to blindness if left untreated. Modern cataract surgery, which involves removal of the cloudy lens and implantation of a clear intraocular lens (IOL), is the only definitive therapy for cataracts. Starting from Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) techniques that involve cutting the conjunctiva and sclera, to phacoemulsification (PHACO). Some surgical procedures such as cataract surgery are also responsible for causing dry eye syndrome or worsening existing symptoms in dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome affects a person's quality of life, especially when reading, watching, driving and when using a laptop or similar electronic device. Based on the background above, the researcher is interested in conducting a scientific study entitled "The relationship between cataract surgery technique and the incidence of dry eye syndrome at Wangaya Regional General Hospital, Denpasar, Bali".

Methods This study uses an observational analytical research design using a cross-sectional approach with secondary data collection obtained from medical records at Wangaya Regional General Hospital in 2021-2024. The statistical test employed in this study was the Chi-Square test, with a significant relationship between variables considered if the p-value is less than 0.05. This study enrolled 55 cataract surgery patients.

Results Of the 55 patients, 38 (69.1%) has dry eye syndrome, amongst the dry eye syndrome patients that had cataract surgery, 21 (55.3%) were 61-70 years old, 21 (55.3%) were male, 34 (89.5%) has non-bachelor level of education, 19 (50.0%) has history of comorbid disease, 29 (76.3%) went through SICS procedure of cataract surgery.

Conclusions There is a relationship between cataract surgery techniques and the incidence of dry eye syndrome at Wangaya Regional General Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, proven by the results of statistical calculations obtained ρ value=0.016. Commonly the patient that underwent cataract surgery also has dry eye syndrome. Most of the patient that has dry eye syndrome went through SICS procedure of cataract surgery.