European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Cataract is the major cause of blindness in the developing world. This
study aimed at evaluation of tear film stability and tear secretion after
phacoemulsification compared with MSICS.
Materials and methods: This was a prospective, comparative randomized study that
included 100 patients diagnosed with senile cataract. Patients fulfilling the inclusion and
exclusion criteria were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups of 50 patients each:
Group A who underwent manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and Group B
who underwent cataract surgery with phacoemulsification technique. Post-operatively
follow up was done at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months respectively in both the groups.
The patients were subjected to same TBUT, Schirmer’s and OSDI scoring at each visit.
Results: Comparison between two groups showed non significant tear film and ocular
surface indices over period of three months. Both groups showed initial reduction in
mean Schirmer’s and TBUT at immediate postoperative period ( 1 week) followed by
gradual improvement to near baseline at 1 and 3 months postoperative follow up period
but still significantly lower than the preoperative values. Both groups showed initial
increased in mean OSDI score at 1 week followed by gradual decreased in mean OSDI
score at 1 and 3 months postoperative follow up period.
Conclusion: Cataract surgery has detrimental effect on tear function in the immediate
postoperative period. Effects gradually recover following a month of surgery but do not
come to preoperative levels even by 3 months. This holds true for both SICS and
phacoemulsification.