Dry Eye and Refractive Surgery Outcomes

Comorbidities in Corneal Refractive Surgery Candidates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background:

Individuals with refractive errors sometimes have other associated ocular and systemic abnormalities.

Objectives:

To explore ocular and systemic comorbidities in Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS) candidates and to examine any contraindications for CRS.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study. Medical records of individuals who underwent a refractive surgery screening at Chiang Mai University LASIK Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand, were reviewed. All clinical data of the initial visit were evaluated. Eyes with a history of CRS and phototherapeutic keratectomy were excluded.

Results:

A total of 1,167 cases (2,334 eyes) were recruited, out of which 643 cases were females (55.09%). Myopia was the most common type of refractive error (2,120 eyes, 90.83%), and 868 (40.94%) eyes had high myopia. Approximately 45% (n=526) of the cases had worn contact lenses. The five most common ocular comorbidities (eyes, proportion) included keratoconus suspect (297, 12.72%), cataract (246, 10.53%), dry eye/probable dry eye (208, 8.91%), glaucoma suspect (184, 7.88%), and amblyopia (149, 6.38%). The most common systemic conditions that affected choices or outcomes of CRS were hypertrophic scar/keloid (169 cases, 14.48%) followed by allergy/asthma (127 cases, 10.88%). A total of 1,028 eyes (44.04%) were excluded from CRS, mainly due to abnormal corneal topography (470/1,028 eyes, 45.72%).

Conclusion:

Most refractive candidates were myopic and contact lens wearers. Serious ocular sequelae from myopia and contact lens use were not uncommon. Additionally, systemic diseases regularly affected the CRS options. The most common contraindication for CRS was abnormal corneal topography. Our study, thus, emphasizes the need for thorough ocular and systemic screenings of refractive candidates.

Algorithmic approach to diagnosis and management of post-refractive surgery dry eye disease

Dry eye disease (DED) is a condition that is fast reaching epidemic proportions around the world. Dry eye post-refractive surgery is the leading cause of iatrogenically induced DED. The wide variety of presentations and the disparity between signs and symptoms in many patients make this a very challenging aspect of our clinical practice. There has been a paradigm shift in the way we approach and treat this condition. The International Dry eye workshop has added new knowledge and focus to our management of dry eye. A wide range of newer diagnostic modalities are available for the diagnosis of DED. Dry eye is one of the most common side effects of refractive surgery and can have a bearing the patient's perception of surgical outcomes as well. A thorough understanding of the possible underlying etiopathologies of this disease and the difference in etiopathogenesis of postrefractive dry eye is essential for optimal outcomes. It is important to approach each case in a unique fashion and customize the therapy to the patient presentation. This review article compiles all these aspects of management of dry eye in general, and postrefractive surgery dry eye in particular; from the ones commonly practiced in the clinic to the newer modalities of therapy with insights into the disease from a more practical point of view.