Influence of Dry Eye Disease on the Measurement Repeatability of Corneal Curvature Radius and Axial Length in Patients with Cataract

The influence of dry eye disease (DED) on ocular biometric measurements is unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of DED on the repeatability of ocular biometric measurements in cataract patients. Overall, 114 eyes scheduled for cataract surgery were enrolled. Before surgery, DED parameters including tear film break-up time (BUT), corneal and conjunctival staining scores, and subjective symptoms were examined. Corneal curvature radius and axial length were assessed twice on the same day using IOLMaster-500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec), and the absolute difference between the two measurements was calculated and used as an index of measurement repeatability. The measurement repeatability of the steep meridian of corneal curvature radius was significantly worse in eyes with DED than in those without DED (p = 0.044) and was significantly associated with BUT (r = -0.206, p = 0.031). The measurement repeatability of axial length was negatively correlated with BUT (r = -0.199, p = 0.041) and positively correlated with the corneal staining score (r = 0.253, p = 0.009). In conclusion, the measurement repeatability of corneal curvature radius declined in eyes with DED. Shortened BUTs were associated with a deterioration in the measurement repeatability of corneal curvature radius and axial length.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dry eye disease (DED) on the repeatability of ocular biometric measurements in cataract patients. The findings revealed that DED was associated with a decline in the measurement repeatability of corneal curvature radius and axial length. Shortened tear film break-up time and higher corneal staining scores were correlated with a deterioration in measurement repeatability.