[Dry eye symptoms following retinal surgery and ocular tumour therapy].
BACKGROUND
Dry eye symptoms can often be observed following vitreo-retinal operations, however, little is known about the frequency and severity of these postoperative problems.


METHODS
Examination of 140 patients following vitreo-retinal surgery ( n=31), brachytherapy ( n=76), proton beam radiation ( n=33) and controls ( n=54) using a questionnaire together with a clinical examination of the anterior segment, tear break-up time and a Schirmer test.


RESULTS
Of the treated patients 63% complained of dry eye symptoms versus 40% of the controls ( p=0.004). The tear break-up time was decreased in treated patients ( p<0.001, medians: 15 vs. 20 s). No significant difference was seen on the Schirmer test ( p=0.825; medians: 12 vs. 12 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
Dry eye symptoms are a common postoperative complication following vitreo-retinal surgery and ocular tumour therapy.
Heimann
H
H
Augenklinik, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin. heimann@ukbf.fu-berlin.de
Gochman
R
R
Hellmich
M
M
Bechrakis
N E
NE
Foerster
M H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome