AIM:To investigate the tear film stability and dry eye after two types of cataract extractions by Oculus Keratograph.

METHODS:Eighty-eight eyes in 67 patients with age related cataract were included in the study. Forty-six eyes in 35 patients underwent phacoemulsification(Phaco)combined with intraocular lens implantation as Phaco group,while 42 eyes in 32 patients underwent non-phacoemulsification small incision extra-capsular cataract extraction(ECCE)combined with intraocular lens implantation as ECCE group. The first non-invasive tear break-up time(fNIBUT),the average non-invasive tear break-up time(aNIBUT),the tear meniscus height(TMH)and the proportion of "dry eye" diagnosised in tear film stability grades before operations and at 1d,1 and 3mo after operations were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS:The fNIBUT, aNIBUT, TMH in Phaco group were higher than those in ECCE group,while the proportion of dry eye in Phaco group were lower than that in ECCE group at 1d postoperatively. The aNIBUT in Phaco group was still higher than that in ECCE group at 1mo postoperatively. The differences on these indicators between two groups were not statistically significant at 3mo postoperatively. Compared with that preoperatively, aNIBUT was reduced at 1d postoperatively, TMH was reduced at 1d and 1mo postoperatively, while the ratio of patients with abnormal TMH was increased 1mo postoperatively in Phaco group. The aNIBUT and TMH were reduced at 1d and 1mo postoperatively, the ratio of patients with abnormal TMH was increased at 1d and 3mo postoperatively, while the proportion of dry eye was increased at 1d and 1mo postoperatively in ECCE group.

CONCLUSION:ECCE has more negative effects on the tear film stability than Phaco, which causes longer dry eye according to the Oculus Keratograph.