Posters

Effect of cataract surgery on the tear meniscus in eyes with dry eye disease

Poster Details

First Author: S.Lee SOUTH KOREA

Co Author(s):    J. Hwang   C. Joo                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare inferior tear meniscus properties before and after cataract surgery using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Setting:

Catholic Institute for Visual Science, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine

Methods:

A total of 125 eyes of 97 patients who underwent cataract surgery at our clinic between October 2011 and January 2012 were included in this prospective study. Tear break up time (TBUT), tear production (Schirmer test I [ST-I]), and patient symptoms (McMonnies questionnaire) were evaluated before and after cataract surgery. Additionally, AS-OCT was used to measure tear meniscus area (TMA), tear meniscus height (TMH), and tear meniscus diameter (TMD) at each time point evaluated.

Results:

The TBUT, ST-I, TMA, and TMH results were not significantly affected by cataract surgery (all P < 0.05). However, the McMonnies questionnaire responses (P < 0.05) and lower eyelid TMA (P < 0.05) significantly decreased following surgery. Additionally, TMH (P <0.05), TMA (P < 0.05), TMD (P < 0.05), and ST-I (P < 0.05) results were positively correlated with McMonnies questionnaire responses, while TMH and TMA were negatively correlated with McMonnies responses. Eyes that had a temporal surgical incision had significantly lower TMH (P < 0.05) and ST-I scores (P < 0.05) than eyes that had superior incisions.

Conclusions:

The AS-OCT is a quick, noninvasive way to quantitatively assess the tear meniscus. Lower tear meniscus parameters measured with AS-OCT significantly correlate with ST-I scores, subjective symptom scores, and corneal incision site. Therefore, AS-OCT may be useful in diagnosing and evaluating dry eye disease.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE