Phacoemulsification vs. Manual SICS: Which Poses a Higher Risk for Postoperative Dry Eye?

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of dry eye development following cataract surgery and analyze whether phacoemulsification and SICS differ in their impact on postoperative dry eye. Methods: Eligible participants were aged 40–80 years, scheduled for cataract surgery, and had no ocular surface abnormalities with normal Schirmer’s test values at baseline. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted at 1 and 3 months, with Schirmer’s test done to evaluate dry eye development. Dry eye incidence was evaluated by comparing pre- and postoperative measurements. Results: In this study of 101 cataract surgery patients, the overall rate of postoperative dry eye at 3 months was 11.88% (95% CI: 17.94–26.17). Among affected cases, severity grading showed mild dry eye in 25%, moderate in 66.67%, and severe in 8.13%. Small incision cataract surgery (SICS) was associated with a higher incidence of dry eye compared to phacoemulsification. Conclusion: Compared to phacoemulsification, the study discovered a higher frequency of dry eye after SICS. Ophthalmologists must actively screen for dry eye after cataract surgery, as it can develop even in eyes with no prior pathology.