A prospective clinical study of the incidence of dry eye disease, following manual small incision cataract surgery, in a suburban population of South India

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate, assess and grade the severity of dry eye disease following manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS). Background: Any phenomenon which disturbs the ocular surface directly or indirectly leads to the beginning of ocular surface disease and dry eye syndrome. Ophthalmic surgeries, especially cataract surgery is one of the factors which causes dysfunction of the Lacrimal Functional Unit and may lead to dry eye disease. MSICS is the surgery of choice in the majority of the rural and suburban sector of India. Many patients undergoing MSICS complains of dry eye symptoms in their postoperative follow-up period. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based, longitudinal study consisting of 100 patients, conducted in a tertiary health care hospital over a period of 18 months, from November 2017 to May 2019, after obtaining ethical committee approval. Patients undergoing MSICS were evaluated for dry eyes using ocular surface disease index questionnaire, schirmer's-1 test (without anesthesia), tear film break-up time test, and oxford system of ocular surface staining, preoperatively and postoperatively on three follow up visits on days 7, 21 and 45 respectively. Results: Overall incidence of dry eye disease was 69%. The severity of dry eye disease was mild in 13%, moderate in 33% and severe in 23% of patients. The incidence of dry eye disease was more in higher in the elderly age group following surgery (mean age 61 ± 11 years, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study found a higher incidence of dry eye disease following MSICS. The sign and symptoms were most profound around first week postoperatively and then regressed overtime, suggesting its self-limiting course. Majority of patients had moderate dry eye disease and also elderly patients being affected more frequently.

Keywords

• dry eye disease
• manual small incision cataract surgery
• postoperative dry eyes