According to a new study, perioperative low-level light therapy (LLLT) prevented postoperative dry eye disease (DED) after cataract surgery by improving ocular surface parameters and patient-reported symptoms. Postoperative DED is a common complication after cataract surgery and often diminishes patient satisfaction and overall surgical outcomes. The study was published in the journal of Ophthalmology and Therapy by Mihaela and colleagues. This study aimed to investigate whether LLLT applied before and after the surgery could improve ocular surface health and reduce patient-reported symptoms.
In this prospective, double-masked, randomized sham-controlled trial, 98 patients scheduled for cataract surgery were randomly assigned to receive either periocular LLLT (50 patients) or sham treatment (48 patients) administered 1 week before and 1 week after surgery. Ocular surface assessments included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test type I, tear osmolarity, and corneal fluorescein staining. These were measured at baseline, before the first treatment (T0), 1 week after (T1), and 1 month after (T2) surgery. All patients received identical standard postoperative therapy.
Results
Of 98 participants completing the study, 89 were patients (45 males, 44 females; mean age 73.75 ± 7.95 years).
Patients of the LLLT group showed significant improvement when compared to the sham group.
OSDI scores decreased from 26.62 ± 15.42 at T0 to 15.53 ± 12.04 at T1 and 13.36 ± 11.69 at T2 (p < 0.001). Tear film BUT increased from 5.76 ± 3.99 seconds at T0 to 6.69 ± 4.48 at T1 and 8.38 ± 4.53 at T2 (p = 0.002).
Tear osmolarity decreased from 300.69 ± 14.19 mOsm/l at T0 to 296.11 ± 12.30 mOsm/l at T2 (p = 0.048).
No significant changes in Schirmer test values were found either within or between groups.
No adverse effects related to LLLT were reported.
The study concluded that perioperative LLLT may be a safe, effective, and well-tolerated strategy for the prevention of postoperative dry eye disease in cataract surgery. With notably improved subjective symptoms and objective ocular surface parameters, LLLT could improve patient comfort and surgical results. Routine integration of LLLT into perioperative care could represent a practical advance in the management of cataract surgery.
Reference:
Timofte-Zorila, MM., Lixi, F., Vlas, N. et al. Effect of Low-Level Light Therapy on Ocular Surface Parameters in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Prospective Double-Masked Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Ophthalmol Ther 14, 2557–2569 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01228-6
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