Survey highlights gaps in dry eye disease management among cataract surgeons

Although most clinicians recognize the impact of cataract surgery on dry eye disease (DED), there are significant gaps in routine preoperative assessments and postoperative testing, according to a study.

A recent prospective face-to-face survey evaluated how clinicians manage DED in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

The survey included 127 participants, including ophthalmologists (39%), trainees and fellows (37%), and optometrists (8%), achieving a 100% response rate. Overall, 67% of respondents routinely assessed for DED before surgery, although 81% acknowledged that cataract surgery could have mild to moderate negative effects on DED.

Approximately 75% estimated that over 10% of pre-operative patients had asymptomatic DED, with over 10% experiencing symptomatic DED. Post-surgery, nearly 80% of clinicians believed that 10% or more of patients suffered from DED.

Although more DED tests were conducted preoperatively than postoperatively, ophthalmologists were more likely than others to perform these tests after surgery. Common management strategies included lubricating drops (95%), lid hygiene (75%), and night ointments or gels (54%). In addition, 76% of surgeons used ophthalmic visco-surgical devices, and 34% limited intra-operative light exposure to mitigate DED risks.

Reference
Naderi K, Maubon L, Jeffrey Lam CF, et al. A face-to-face survey on the practice of ophthalmic clinicians in the management of dry eye disease in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2025;11206721241312249. doi: 10.1177/11206721241312249. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39834340.