Evaluation of dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction after cataract surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective observational case series.

METHODS

We studied 58 eyes of 48 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and evaluated them preoperatively and at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. Ocular symptom scores, lid margin abnormalities, superficial punctate keratopathies (SPKs), tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, lower tear meniscus height, depth, and area using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography, meibum expressibility and images of the meibomian glands using meibography were measured.

RESULTS

The ocular symptom scores were worse at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Lid margin abnormalities were significantly increased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) and TBUT decreased postoperatively (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Meibum expressibility decreased at 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.016); however, meibography score, SPK, lower tear meniscus height, depth and area and the Schirmer test did not change significantly postoperatively (all P values >0.05).

CONCLUSION

Meibomian gland function may be altered without accompanying structural changes after cataract surgery.