Introduction: Dry eye is a common problem amongst post-menopausal women. Cataract surgery may worsen symptoms of dry eye and this can influence the quality of life in patients. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence and severity of dry eye symptoms after phacoemulsification surgery.

Methods: This case-series study was performed on 43 women aged over 50 years during 2013-2014. Patients underwent phacoemulsification surgery on one eye. Symptoms of the operated and contra lateral eye were analyzed by c² statistical test and SPSS software, preoperative and one month after the surgery.

Results: One month after the surgery, the mean value of incidence and severity of dry eye in operated and non-operated eyes were 90.06 ± 3.5, 80.96 ± 3.55, 71.11 ± 3.52, and 63.51 ± 3.04, respectively. The difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.001). Schirmer’s test, TBUT and corneal staining showed no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05).

Conclusions: Cataract surgery may lead to worsening of dry eye symptoms. Treatment of dry eye before cataract surgery is an important issue to prevent ocular surface damage.