Tear film dysfunction after clear corneal phacoemulsification in diabetics and non-diabetics

• Published in: Indian journal of ophthalmology 2023-04, Vol.71 (4), p.1517-1520
• Main Authors: Momin, Aseera, Nikose, Archana, Thakre, Uttkarsha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Case-Control Studies; cataract; Complications; Complications and side effects; Cornea; diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetics; dry eye; Dry eye syndromes; Dry Eye Syndromes - complications; Dry Eye Syndromes - epidemiology; Eye diseases; Humans; Incidence; Lens, Crystalline - surgery; Original; Phacoemulsification; Phacoemulsification - adverse effects; Prospective Studies; Risk factors; Statistics; Surgery
• ISSN: 0301-4738; 1998-3689
• DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2825_22

Purpose: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary eye care centre to study the incidence of tear film dysfunction and its recovery in diabetics and non-diabetics after clear corneal phacoemulsification. Methods: A total of 50 diabetics and 50 non-diabetics underwent clear corneal phacoemuslfication. Schirmer's I test (SIT), tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining, tear meniscus height (TMH), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) assessment were done preoperatively, postoperatively at 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months in both groups to assess tear film function. Results: Both groups showed decreased SIT and TBUT values on postoperative Day 7, after which they gradually improved. SIT and TBUT values in diabetics were significantly lower than that in non-diabetics postoperatively (P < 0.001). SIT in non-diabetics reached baseline levels at postoperative 3 months. OSDI scores reached peak levels in both groups on postoperative Day 7, but were higher in diabetics than non-diabetics (P < 0.001). OSDI scores gradually improved over 3 months but remained over baseline levels in both groups. Corneal staining was positive in 22% diabetics and 8% non-diabetics at postoperative Day 7. However, none of the patients had corneal staining at 3 months. Tear meniscus height (TMH) did not reveal any significant difference between the two groups at any time interval. Conclusion: We concluded that tear film dysfunction after clear corneal incision occurs in both groups, but is more severe and recovers more slowly in diabetics than non-diabetics.