Cataract surgery in patients with dry eyes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Disease
• Cataract Surgery

Background:

• Dry eye disease is a common condition that can affect visual acuity.
• Cataract surgery in patients with dry eyes presents unique challenges.
• The impact of connective tissue disorders on cataract surgery outcomes in dry eye patients is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causes of postoperative complications in dry eye patients undergoing cataract surgery.
• To evaluate the visual outcomes after cataract surgery in patients with dry eyes.
• To compare outcomes between dry eye patients with and without connective tissue disorders.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 15 patients (21 eyes) with age-related cataract and dry eye.
• Patients classified into two groups: dry eye with probable secondary Sjögren's syndrome and dry eye without connective tissue disorders.
• Analysis of surgical procedures, medications, complications, and visual outcomes.

Main Results:

• Group 1 (with connective tissue disease) experienced endophthalmitis and peripheral keratolysis, with 5 eyes achieving 6/60-6/18 visual acuity.
• Group 2 (without connective tissue disease) developed filamentary keratitis and peripheral keratolysis, with 6 eyes achieving 6/12 or better visual acuity.
• Both groups showed a significant decrease in visual acuity between 3 months and 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions:

• Cataract surgery in dry eyes is associated with fewer complications and better visual outcomes in patients without connective tissue disease.
• Dry eye patients with connective tissue disorders face a higher risk of severe postoperative complications after cataract surgery.
• Ophthalmologists should carefully consider the presence of connective tissue disorders when managing dry eye patients undergoing cataract surgery.