WATERING OF THE EYES FOLLOWING UNEVENTFUL PHACOEMULSIFICATION CATARACT SURGERY

Document Type : Original articles: include clinical trials, interventional research, Basic researches and clinically relevant laboratory investigations

Authors

Ophthalmology dept., Faculty of Medicine, Sohag, Univ., Egypt,

Abstract

Background: Epiphora is a common presentation to the general ophthalmologist. Causes of
epiphora may be caused by secretory problems or problems with the excretory side of the lacrimal system. Epiphora due to postoperative punctual and/or canalicular stenosis or obstruction
may follow uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery.
Objectives: The aims of the current
study were to assess the incidence of the post phacoemulsification watery eye and to assess
the possible causes of the post phacoemulsification watery eye.
Methods: a cross sectional
study that was carried out at ophthalmology department, Faculty of medicine, Sohag University
hospitals from 1
st November 2022 to 28th February 2023 among randomly selected fifty patients
who had undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification.
Results: Our study showed that 56%
of patients hadn't watering of eyes while 44% of patients complained of watering of eye three
months post phacoemulsification in form of 32% of patients had dry eye disease 10% of patients
had punctual obstruction and 2 % of patients had mixed dry eye disease and punctual
obstruction. Assessment of special tests for dry eye and outer punctual diameter (OPD)
revealed that there was statistically significant difference between eyes without watering and
eyes with watering regarding dye disappearance test, Schirmer's 1 test, Schirmer's 2 test, tear
break up time (TBUT) and OPD.
Conclusion: In conclusion, watering of eye is inevitable after
cataract surgery. All the dry eye test values showed deterioration following surgery. We observed
that cataract surgery is capable of aggravating dry eye and affecting dry eye test values.


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