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

PURPOSE: To evaluate perioperative dry eye (DE) syndrome and meibomian gland (MG) dysfunction parameters associated with cataract surgery-induced DE symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This 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. RESULTS: Twenty-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. CONCLUSION: Ocular parameters, including upper eyelid MG findings at baseline, were considered important in predicting persistent DE symptoms following cataract surgery.