Comparison of the efficacy between topical diquafosol and artificial tears in the treatment of dry eye following cataract surgery

Abstract Purpose Dry eye symptoms after conventional cataract surgery are a very common problem. Until now, only few data are available on objective tear film parameters in regard to femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (LCS). Aim of this study was therefore to analyze and compare tear film parameter changes between LCS and conventional cataract surgery. Methods A consecutive group of 34 patients, scheduled for cataract surgery, were randomly selected for either LCS or conventional cataract surgery (17 patients/group). Tear film assessments including tear film osmolarity, Schirmer test, MMP-9 analysis via quantitative ELISA, corneal sensitivity, corneal fluorescein staining, and conjunctival fluorescein staining were sequentially evaluated pre- as well as 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Results Both groups showed no significant difference in baseline characteristics. All surgeries were performed without any complications. After 1 and 3 months, there was no statistically significant difference in regard to tear film osmolarity (1 month: p = 0.81, 3 months: p = 1.0), Schirmer test (1 month: p = 0.35, 3 month: p = 0.08), and MMP-9 concentration (1 month: p = 0.36, 3 month: p = 0.28) between the two groups. Conclusions Neither LCS nor conventional cataract surgery affected objective tear film parameters significantly during our 3-month postoperative observation period. Hence, both surgical techniques can be equally used to treat patients without prior dry eye symptoms.

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Dry eye syndrome and cataract surgery

Medicinski pregled ◽

10.2298/mpns1904105b ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 72 (3-4) ◽

pp. 105-109

Author(s):

Stefan Brunet ◽

Vladimir Canadanovic ◽

Nikola Babic ◽

Aleksandar Miljkovic ◽

Sandra Jovanovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Cataract Surgery ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Dry Eye Syndrome ◽

Schirmer Test ◽

Corrected Visual Acuity ◽

Body Sensation ◽

Eye Symptoms ◽

Best Corrected Visual Acuity ◽

Dry Eye Symptoms

Introduction. Dry eye syndrome has become a common problem after ocular surgeries with a significant impact on the quality of life. Many patients, who have undergone cataract surgery, postop?eratively developed dry eye symptoms. Dry eye syndrome is one of the risk factors associated with cataract surgery. Material and Methods. The prospective study included 80 patients. We recorded the self-reported dry eye symptoms, the values of Schirmer test, tear breakup time, and best corrected visual acuity preoperatively, as well as 7 days and 1 month after the surgery. Results. A total of 80 patients were included in the study, 45 (56.2%) females and 35 (43.8%) males. The mean age of patients was 61.5 years (SD ? 6.2, range 57 - 70 years). The best corrected visual acuity at the time of surgery was 0.4 or less in 70 patients (87.5%). Most patients reported a significant improvement in visual acuity after surgery; 68 (85%) eyes achieved a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 or higher (median 0.7; range 0.5 - 1.0). The mean tear breaking time in cata?ract patients before surgery was 12.4 sec, 7 days after the surgery it was 8.2 sec (p < 0.05) and 1 moth after the surgery 11.1 sec. The majority of patients had mild (47.5%) and moderate (33.75%) Schirmer test values. Dry eye with wetting < 5 mm after 5 minutes was found in 16.2% of patients before cataract surgery; 7 days after the surgery (p < 0.05) it was found in 23.75% of patients and one month after surgery 11.1 sec. A foreign body sensation and watery eye were the most reported symptoms before cataract surgery. Seven days after the surgery foreign body sensation was present in 48.75% and watery eyes in 40% of patients. Conclusion. Significant increase in dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery was found with increasing age. Self reported dry eye problems are more common in patients with lower Schirmer test and best corrected visual acu?ity values before cataract surgery. Patients with concomitant dry eye disease require preoperative and postoperative treatment of dry eye to prevent aggravation of the existing symptoms that may affect the visual outcome after cataract surgery.

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