Ocular Surgery and Ocular Surface Disease: A Mutual Relationship

Ocular surface disease is a multifactorial disease characterized by loss of tear film homeostasis accompanied by ocular symptoms. Tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, ocular inflammation and neurosensory abnormalities are the main trigger factors. Specific manifestations of ocular surface disease (OSD) include conditions such as dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, and pterygium. OSD can also result from inflammatory conditions such as mucous membrane pemphigoid or Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, chemical and thermal injuries, or ocular surface neoplasia.

Ocular surgical interventions, such as cataract, glaucoma, and refractive surgeries, and including ocular surface repairs, keratoplasty, intraocular procedures, laser vision correction, squint and posterior segment surgery, can raise or precipitate an existing pathology, worsening the patient’s symptoms and quality of life. All ophthalmic surgeons from the anterior to the posterior segment have to manage this increasing phenomenon. Moreover, the success of surgery can be negatively influenced from worsening of ocular surface disease. The severity of OSD is strongly related to the patient's quality of life after surgery. Ocular surface changes can lead to blurred vision, burning, itchiness, redness, grittiness in the eye, and photophobia, eventually contributing to patient dissatisfaction even after uncomplicated surgery. An accurate evaluation and grading of OSD before and after ocular surgery should be encouraged and become part of our routine clinical practice. Moreover, particular attention should be dedicated to the treatment of OSD including Meibomian Gland Disease therapy, lubricant eye drops, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids.

The aim of this Research Topic is to consider the relationship between ophthalmic surgery, ocular surface disease, and the patient’s quality of life. Manuscripts submitted to this collection could address areas such as:

  •      Diagnosis and grading of OSD before and after surgery;
  •      Cost-effective strategies for implementing OSD evaluation;
  •      New techniques for evaluation, including the use of artificial intelligence;
  •      Assessment of quality-of-life change in patients with OSD after surgery.

Research articles, brief research reports, mini-reviews, reviews, and case reports are very welcome.

Keywords: cornea, squint, ocular surface, inflammation, tear film, meibomian gland, surgery, dry eye, blepharitis, eye drops, refractive surgery, laser vision correction, pterygium, MMP, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, ocular surface neoplasia, keratoplasty, corneal transplant, cataract surgery, strabismus, posterior segment surgery

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.