Evaluation of Dry Eye after Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To evaluate dry eye (DE) and associated meibomian gland dysfunction parameters after Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a prospective observational case series. Patients who underwent ICL implantation without previous ocular diseases or ophthalmic treatments were enrolled. Their Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), noninvasive breakup time (NIBUT), meibography, slit-lamp examination of the lid margin, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), and Schirmer test I were examined preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 117 eyes of 60 patients were enrolled, and 107 eyes completed 3-month follow-up period. OSDI, lid marginal abnormality, and meibomian gland (MG) secretion, and meibum quality score were significantly higher at 1 month postoperatively and recovered partially at 3 months after surgeries, while NIBUT was significantly decreased all the time. Patients with previous DE symptoms (OSDI score ≥12) showed not only lower Schirmer and TBUT values but also higher CFS, lid margin score, MG loss, MG secretion, and meibum quality scores compared with those in the control group after operations. Low Schirmer, NIBUT values, and high meibum quality score were determined as risk factors for DE symptoms after ICL surgery. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> ICL implantation has a bad influence on the ocular surface and MG functions. The influence may be more obvious in patients with existing DE.