Impact of Dry Eye Disease and Lipid-Containing Artificial Tears on Keratometric Reproducibility and Intraocular Lens Calculation in Cataract Patients

TL;DR

Dry eye disease affects the accuracy of eye measurements before cataract surgery, but using lipid-containing artificial tears can improve measurement stability.

Contribution

The study shows that treating dry eye disease with lipid-containing artificial tears improves keratometric reproducibility for intraocular lens calculations.

Findings

DED patients showed significant differences in corneal astigmatism between initial measurements.

Tear film therapy led to improved keratometric stability and predicted IOL power.

Repeated biometry after treatment is recommended for better surgical outcomes.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Tear film instability and corneal surface irregularity are important sources of variability in keratometric and corneal topographic measurements, particularly affecting astigmatic magnitude and axis. Accurate preoperative biometry is crucial for optimal refractive outcomes in cataract surgery. Dry eye disease (DED) may compromise the reproducibility of keratometric parameters, leading to errors in intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of DED on the reproducibility of keratometric measurements and to assess the effect of a four-week treatment with lipid-containing artificial tears on these parameters in cataract patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 patients scheduled for cataract surgery, of whom 65 (56.0%) had DED and 51 (44.0%) served as controls. All patients underwent two preoperative keratometric measurements 10–20 min apart (IOL1 and IOL2). The control group proceeded to surgery the next day, while surgery in the DED group was postponed. Patients with DED received preoperative therapy with lipid-containing artificial tears. Follow-up assessments occurred one month after therapy (keratometric measurement named IOL3) and eight weeks postoperatively. Clinical evaluation included slit-lamp examination, dry eye testing according to Dry eye Workshop II (DEWS II) criteria: Ocular surface Disease Index (OSDI), Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT), Schirmer I, Oxford staining, and meibomian gland assessment), ocular biometry, and postoperative spherical equivalent measurement using an auto ref-keratometer. Nonparametric statistical analyses were applied to evaluate associations between parameters. Results: In the DED group, corneal astigmatism showed a significant difference between IOL1 and IOL2 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test {Z = 2.43; p = 0.015}). Significant changes in predicted IOL power were observed between pretreatment and posttreatment values (t = 2.57; p = 0.013) and between IOL2 and IOL3 (t = 2.23; p = 0.029), indicating improved keratometric stability following tear film therapy. No additional significant correlations were identified. Conclusions: DED adversely affects the reproducibility of keratometric measurements and may compromise IOL power selection. Preoperative identification and treatment of DED, followed by repeated biometry after tear film stabilization, are strongly recommended to enhance refractive accuracy and optimize surgical outcomes in cataract patients.

Figures