Upper Eyelid Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is a Risk Factor for Dry Eye Symptoms Following Cataract Surgery in the Early Phase.

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate perioperative dry eye (DE) syndrome and meibomian gland (MG) dysfunction parameters associated with cataract surgery-induced DE symptoms.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective, single-centered, observational study included 82 eyes of 43 patients without previous subjective DE symptoms, treatment, ocular comorbidities, and previous use of ophthalmic treatment, except for anti-allergic eye drops, who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery. MG dropout, lid margin abnormality, meibum quality, meibum expressibility, MG orifice obstruction, ocular surface disease index, non-invasive tear break-up time, tear meniscus height, and Schirmer test score were measured at baseline and 1 month postoperatively. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equation models was used to determine the risk factors for cataract surgery-induced DE symptoms.ResultsTwenty-one patients had subjective DE symptoms 1 month following the cataract surgery. Preoperative and postoperative parameters, preoperative upper eyelid MG loss, and female sex (odds ratio [OR] 6.72, P = 0.012; OR 4.20, P = 0.037, respectively) were identified as risk factors for cataract surgery-induced DE symptoms.ConclusionOcular parameters, including upper eyelid MG findings at baseline, were considered important in predicting persistent DE symptoms following cataract surgery.