AIM: To investigate the influence of phacoemulsification with different incision on tear film.

METHODS: Tear film was monitored in 152 patients(169 eyes)after phacoemulsification. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of incision: group A(76 patients, 83 eyes)with a 3.2mm corneoscleral limbus incision phacoemulsification and group B(76 patients, 86 eyes )with a sclemtic tunnel incision. Tear break-up time(BUT), cornea fluorescein staining(CFS), lid-parallel conjunctival folds(LIPCOF)and lid-wiper epitheliopathy(LWE )were observed at 3d preoperatively and 1wk, 1, 3 and 6mo postoperatively. The results were analyzed using a Chi-square test and t-test with SPSS 17.0.

RESULTS:BUT: The BUT of two groups was obviously shorter at 1wk, 1mo postoperatively, the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05), however, there were no statistically significant at 3, 6mo(P>0.05). CFS score: There was a large increase in CFS at 1wk, 1mo postoperatively, the differences were statistically significant between the two groups(P<0.05), however, there were no statistically significant at 3, 6mo(P>0.05). LIPCOF: There was a large increase in LIPCOF at 1wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively, the differences were statistically significant between the two groups(P<0.05), however, there were no statistically significant at 6mo(P>0.05). LWE: There was a large increase in tear osmolarity at 1wk, 1mo postoperatively. The differences were statistically significant between the two groups(P<0.05), however, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups at 3, 6mo(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The stability of tear film in patients with scleral tunnel incision is much better than in patients with 3.2mm corneoscleral limbus incision phacoemulsification. There is no significant difference between the two groups during later postoperative periods.