Ocular Surface Alterations Related to Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Background: Dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial disease of pre-corneal tear film that results in ocular discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability, with potential damage to the ocular surface. The aim of the work was to evaluate the ocular surface alterations related to cataract surgery either phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction surgeries.
 Methods: This prospective observational study included 60 patients with cataract. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups: Group1 included patients who had scheduled for phacoemulsification. Group 2 included patients who had scheduled for extracapsular cataract extraction surgery. All patients were subjected to full history taking, complete ophthalmic evaluation, OSDI score test, Schirmer tests, invasive break up time tests (IBUT), and non- invasive break up time tests (NIBUT).
 Results: Postoperative BCVA test in both groups was significantly better compared to preoperative tests after 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months while postoperative Schirmer test, IBUTT test, non IBUTT test, and OSDI test were significantly worse compared to preoperative in both groups after 1 week, 1month and 3 months (P value = 0.05).
 Conclusions: Patients who had scheduled for phacoemulsification showed a significantly better BCVA test, OSDI test, Schirmer test, IBUTT test, and non IBUTT test after 1 week,
 1month and 3 months compared to extracapsular cataract extraction group.