AIM: To compare the changes of tear film stability after the combined surgery of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL)implantation through two different clear corneal incisions(3.0mm and 2.2mm).

METHODS: Preoperatively, 76 age-related cataract patients(92 eyes)with diabetes were divided into two groups. Forty-eight eyes were enrolled in group A, they were treated with 3.0mm clear corneal incision. And 44 eyes in group B were treated with 2.2mm clear corneal incision. Subjective score for dryness, Schirmer I test, tear film break-up time and corneal fluorescein staining were evaluated preoperatively and 7d, 1 and 3mo postoperatively.

RESULTS: Complains of dry eye and corneal fluoreascein staining was more severe in group A and tear film break-up time of group A was lower than that of group B with statistical difference(P<0.05)at postoperative 7d and 1mo. Schirmer Ⅰ test result of group A was higher than that of group B at postoperative 1mo with statistical difference(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Compared with 2.2mm group(group B), the symptom of dry eye was slighter and the duration was shorter than 3.3mm group(group A)after phacoemulsification in cataract patients with diabetes.