AIM: To investigate dry eye in patients after two different cataract surgery.

METHODS: Sixty-three case(63 eyes)with age-related cataract who received cataract surgery in our hospital from May to July 2014 were randomly divided into two groups: 31 cases(31 eyes)with small incision non-phacoemulsificatian cataract extraction combined with intraocular lens implantation in group A, 32 case(32 eyes)with phacoemulsificatian combined with intraocular lens implantation in group B. The subjective complains of dry eye, tear break-up time(BUT)and Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt)were measured preoperatively and 1 and 3mo postoperatively.

RESULTS: One month postoperative, dry eye symptoms increased significantly compared with the preoperative, BUT shortened, SⅠt reduced. There was significant difference between the two groups and compared with the preoperative(P<0.05). After 3mo, dry eye remains existed, but the extent of SⅠt and BUT recovered to preoperative levels. There was no significant difference between the two groups and compared with the preoperative(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The tear film stability of patients with two surgical procedures reduces in the short term. Compared with patients with phacoemulsificatian, the degree of dry eye of patients with small incision non-phacoemulsificatian is more severe, the tear function changes come to more light on the former. But this difference will reduce with the passage of time.