Algorithm for Intraoperative Prevention of Dry Eye Syndrome in Cataract Phacoemulsification

Purpose : to create a simple and effective complex method of prevention of dry eye syndrome (DYE) during cataract phacoemulsification. Patients and methods . The study was aimed at developing a complex intraoperative algorithm for the prevention of DES after cataract phacoemulsification in the postoperative period. For developing the algorithm, data from Russian and international sources of reviewed scientific literature, as well as clinical guidelines for cataracts were evaluated. The developed algorithm was applied for 291 patients (291 eyes) aged 45 to 75 years. The effectiveness of this intraoperative method of preventing Dry eye syndrome (DES) was evaluated during the early postoperative period, which lasted for 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated for the condition of their tear-producing system using the MediWorks Dixion S 350 slit lamp, and their quality of life was assessed with the SPEED scale. It allowed for the determination of the severity of SHS according to the 2024 classification of DYE severity. The developed algorithm is comprehensive, and all the techniques are interconnected and mutually influencing. The combination of all these techniques provides the effective prevention of DES in the postoperative period of cataract phacoemulsification, which improves the condition of patients by eliminating or reducing the manifestations of DES, which can significantly affect not only the patient’s quality of life but also the final visual acuity and, consequently, the patient’s satisfaction with the surgery.