Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of phacoemulsification surgery on tear film of the patients with different ages and to investigate the clinical significa
nces.Methods 154 cases(154 eyes) with cataract accepted phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation were chosen and divided into three groups according to different ages:group A,30 eyes of the patients aged <60 years;group B,68 eyes of the patients aged 60-75 years;group C,56 eyes of the patients aged　>75 years.Schirmer Ⅰ test,tear break-up time (BUT),corneal fluorescein staining and dry eye symptom score were compared among three groups.Results 7 d after operation,the dry eye symptom score in group A was higher than those in groups B and C,there were significant differences（P<0.05 or P<0.01）;1 and 3 months after operation,the scores had no statistically significant differences between three groups.7 d after operation,the Schirmer Ⅰ test value in group C was lower than those in group A and B（P<0.01）.7 d after operation,the BUT in group A was longer than those in
 group B and C,there were significant differences（P<0.01）.1 and 3 months after operation,there were statistically significant differences between group C and group A,B（P<0.05 or P<0.01）.The BUT of the patients in group C didn’t recover to preoperative level 3 months after operation（P<0.01）.7 d and 1 month after operation,the corneal fluorescein staining score in group A was lower than those in group B and C,there were significant differences（P<0.05 or P<0.01）;3 months after operation,there were no statistically significant differences between three groups.Conclusion The injury degree and recovery time of ocular surface of the patients with different ages after phacoemulsification surgery are different;the injury of ocular surface after operation in elder patien
ts is more serious and the recovery time is longer  than the younger patients.

Key words: phacoemulsification, tear film , dry eye, elder