AIM: To evaluate the incidence and clinical properties of dry eye after phacoemulsification in age-related cataract patients.

METHODS: Samples were collected from 145 age-related cataract patients(145 eyes). Dry eye was analyzed at 0, 7, 30, 90 and 180d after phacoemulsification by 1)Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire(OSDI), 2)tear meniscus height(TMH), 3)corneal fluorescein staining, 4)tear film break-up time(BUT), 5)Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt).

RESULTS: The symptoms and signs of dry eye, such as narrowing of TMH, shorting of BUT, decreasing of SⅠt, cornea staining by fluorescein, occurred as early as 7d post-phacoemulsification and were measured by OSDI questionnaire and 4 additional clinical tests. Over the six-month observation the severity of dry eye peaked at 30d and then gradually relieved.

CONCLUSION: The severity of dry eye after phacoemulsification peaked at 30d and gradually improved over time. Considering the characteristics of ocular surface for aged people ophthalmologists should pay more concern on evaluating the occurring of dry eye after phacoemulsification so as to improve the life quality of these people.