AIM: To investigate the effects of different phacoemulsification incision for tear film stability in cataract patients.

METHODS: From January 2014 to September 2015, 108 patients(144 eyes)who underwent cataract surgery were divided into two groups: group A with clear corneal incision(52 cases with 74 eyes), group B with scleral tunnel incision(56 cases with 70 eye). Two groups of patients were taken the same incision width. Symptoms of dry eye and tear film break-up time(BUT)were observed 1d before and 1d, 1, 3wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively.

RESULTS: After performing cataract phacoemulsification 1d, 1wk, symptoms score of dry eye of group A was less than that of group B, the difference was statistically significant(t=-6.199, -2.871, P<0.01), while at other times after operation there were no significant differences(t=-1.639, -0.829, -0.301, P>0.05); at postoperative 1d, 1 and 3wk, BUT of group B was better than those of group A, there were a statistically significant differences(t=-3.718, -2.342, -2.506, P<0.05), there were no significant differences at other the time after operation(t=-0.882,1.225, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The difference on effect of two different incision on the tear film stability only last a short time, which disappeared at 1mo after operation. The clear corneal incision has stronger impacts on tear film stability than scleral tunnel incision, while with a lower score on symptoms of dry eye.