We report the clinical manifestations of dry eye syndrome after cataract surgery involving meibomian gland structure, meibomian gland function, and tear lipid layer analysis.

The clinical manifestations of dry eye syndrome were retrospectively evaluated in 34 eyes of 31 patients who underwent cataract surgery from September to November 2017. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear break-up time (tBUT), Oxford stain score, presence or absence of blepharitis, and meibomian gland expression were measured preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months postoperatively. Lipid layer thickness (LLT), partial blinks, and meibomian gland images were measured using LipiView® (TearScience, Morrisville, NC, USA), an interferometric eye surface measuring device.

The postoperative OSDI was significantly higher than preoperative OSDI (17.09 ± 1.81): 22.76 ± 1.99 at 1 week, 23.12 ± 1.91 at 1 month, and 22.68 ± 1.92 at 2 months ( p < 0.05). The postoperative tBUT was significantly lower than preoperative tBUT (5.07 ± 0.39): 3.99 ± 0.31 at 1 week, 3.49 ± 0.27 at 1 month, and 4.72 ± 0.39 at 2 months ( p < 0.05). The Oxford staining score increased after surgery, but the difference was not statistically significant. Postoperative meibomian gland expression was significantly lower preoperative values (4.9 ± 2.8): 4.4 ± 2.8 at 1 month, and 3.9 ± 2.8 at 2 months ( p < 0.05). The LLT decreased at 1 month postoperatively and increased at 2 months postoperatively, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Cataract surgery resulted in a short-term meibomian gland dysfunction, leading to deterioration of dry eye after cataract surgery. However, we could not confirm structural changes in the meibomian gland, so it will be necessary to observe the clinical features of dry eye syndrome over a longer period of time.