Abstract:Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of lacrimal canaliculus embolism for dry eye syndrome after cataract surgery. Methods Thirty-four eyes of 22 patients were treated with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (hereinafter referred to as cataract surgery), and intraoperative insertion of degradable lacrimal canalicular plug into the upper and lower lacrimal canaliculus was conducted. 25-item national eye institute visual function questionnaire (NEI-VFQ25), ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear meniscus height(TMH), cornea fluorescein staining, Schirmer test I (ST-I), tear break-up time (tBUT), imprint cytology (IC) were observed before cataract surgery and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months after surgery. The related adverse reactions were also observed during the follow-up period. Results OSDI score was 13.88±6.21, 13.87±6.64, 10.75±5.03 respectively at 1 week, 1 month and 3 month after operation and decreased compared with pre-operation(19.67±5.82) significantly(P=0.021, P=0.024, P=0.001). At postoperative time points, the ocular pain scroing of dry eye symptom and NEI-VFQ25 showed no significant changes (all P>0.05), but tBUT increased, and cornea fluorescein staining score decreased compared with preoperation (all P<0.05). TMH increased at 1 week and 1 month after cataract surgery(all P<0.05). IC showed no significant difference in goblet cell density between preoperative(229.57±120.03), postoperative one month(241.31±96.10), and postoperative 3 months(257.02±104.96)(P>0.05). And no serious squamous metaplasia. No serious complications occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusion The lacrimal canaliculus in cataract surgery can improve postoperative dry eye disease safely and effectively, increase tear film stability, alleviate dry eye symptoms and improve the quality of life after operation.