Dry Eye Management With Diquafosol 3% Eyedrops Before And After Cataract Surgery

To evaluate the efficacy of diquafosol sodium 3% eyedrops for dry eye management in patients with pre-existing dry eye disease before and after cataract surgery.

Prospective observational case series of patients with pre-existing dry eye disease treated with diquafosol sodium 3% 1 month prior to cataract surgery and continued for 3 months after cataract surgery. Tear Break Up Time(TBUT), National Eye Institute Corneal and Conjunctival Fluorescein staining score(CFS), Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness(SPEED) score, uncorrected(UCDA) and best corrected distance visual acuities(BCDA) were measured preoperatively, on the day of surgery(Preop) then at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively.

Compared to baseline measurements, the mean TBUT did not show significant improvement at Preop (p=0.197) but was significantly better at 1 month(p=0.001) and 3 months(p=0.012) postoperatively.  The mean CFS score was significantly better at Preop (p=0.009), 1 month (p=0.0005) and 3 months(p<0.0001). Mean SPEED scores showed significant improvement at Preop (p<0.0001), 1 month(p<0.0001) and 3 months(p<0.0001). The mean CFS score was significantly better at 3 months compared to 1 month postoperatively(p=0.016). Postoperative UCDA and BCDA were significantly better at 3 months(p<0.0001, p=0.0002). Diquafosol sodium 3% was well tolerated and there were no severe adverse reactions observed.

In patients with pre-existing dry eye disease undergoing cataract surgery, this study shows that diquafosol sodium 3% reduces signs and symptoms of dry eye when started at least a month prior to surgery and continued for at least 3 months postoperatively.