Tear Film Changes after Phacoemulsification

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. Aim of Study: Was to evaluate the incidence of dry eye in patients undergoing clear cornea phacoemulsification and evaluate the age as a risk factor associated with eye dryness after phacoemulsification surgery. Patients and Methods: This was a observational prospec-tive study conducted on 60 eyes with no dry eye signs or symptoms, who underwent clear corneal phacoemulsification for cataract, carried out at Ophthalmology Departments of Kalwoon Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar Uni-versity Hospitals (Al-Hussein and Sayed Galal Hospitals) during the period between January 2020 till January 2021. Results: Our results indicated that values of Schirmer test and tear break-up time test changed following the operation. The tear film break-up time (TBUT) value had changed post-operatively on day 1 and day 7 remarkably. Statistically significant difference was observed between TBUT values on day 1 (6.08±1.19) and day 7 (7.06±1.2) when compared with preoperative value (11.1±1), (p-value <0.001). The Schirmer test value has changed post-operatively on day 1 and day 7 remarkably. Statistically significant difference was observed between Schirmer test value on day 1 (9.8±1.4) and day 7 (12.08±1.3) when compared with preoperative value (14.1 ±2.2), (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Our findings showed a gradual improvement in tear film break-up time and Schirmer's test results when the patients were reviewed at 1 month.