The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of preoperative meibomian gland disease (MGD) on the postoperative dry eye disease after cataract surgery.

100 eyes of 85 patients who had undergone cataract surgery were enrolled. Patients were stratified into three groups by the severity of meibomian gland disease (MGD Grade I, MGD Grade II and MGD Grade III). In each group, we recorded the indexes of dry eye such as Ocular surface disease index, tear breakup time, Schirmer's test and Corneal staining at preoperatively and postoperative week 1, 2, 5, 9. We compared the indexes, preoperatively and postoperatively between three groups.

In comparison of the preoperative indexes between groups, the more severe meibomian gland disease the patients have, the higher Ocular surface disease index and the shorter tear breakup time were observed ( p < 0.05). In comparison the preoperative with the postoperative indexes, Ocular surface disease index was higher and tear breakup time was shorter at every postoperative moment in MGD Grade (Gr) II and Gr III. In comparison between MGD groups, MGD Gr III showed higher ocular surface disease index than MGD Gr I and Gr II at every follow up point, and shorter tear breakup time than MGD Gr I and Gr II at preoperative and postoperative week 1 and 9 ( p < 0.05).

The severity of meibomian gland disease which exist preoperatively can affect the aggravation of dry eye disease after cataract surgery. Therefore, the treatment of meibomian gland disease before cataract surgery can be a therapeutic option to prevent aggravation of dry eye after cataract surgery.