Infrared thermography for the analysis of ocular surface temperature after phacoemulsification

ABSTRACT Purpose: In this study, we present our observations on changes in the surface temperature of the cornea, eye, and orbital cavity after cataract surgery. Methods: A total of 39 patients who underwent cataract surgery based on phacoemulsification were enrolled. Temperature was measured at the center of the cornea, on the eye surface, and in orbital cavities using the FLIR T640 thermal imaging camera at days 1, 14, and 28 after cataract phacoemulsification and compared with preoperative baseline values. Results: The mean value of ocular surface temperature of the orbital cavity 14 days after cataract surgery was significantly different compared with the preoperative temperature (p£0.05). Temperature of the investigated areas showed a reduction, with the greatest decrease on day 14 after surgery, followed by an increase on day 28 after surgery, which was comparable to the temperature measured prior to surgery. Conclusions: The reduction in ocular surface temperature toward the end of post-cataract surgery follow-up may be associated with increased instability of the tear film after phacoemulsification. Therefore, patient awareness regarding the possibility of clinical symptoms of dry eye syndrome during the first month after surgery should be part of clinical management of cataract surgery. Ocular surface temperature did not increase after cataract surgery, suggesting the absence of significant inflammation, and the temperature about 1 month after cataract surgery was comparable to that before surgery. Nevertheless, the negative correlation between age and ocular surface temperature should be of concern in the elderly.

摘要
目的：本研究旨在报告白内障超声乳化吸除术后角膜、眼球及眶腔表面温度的变化情况。
方法：共纳入39例行白内障超声乳化手术的患者。分别于白内障超声乳化术后第1、14、28天，使用FLIR T640红外热成像相机测量角膜中央、眼球表面及眶腔内的温度，并与术前基线值进行对比。
结果：白内障术后14天，眶腔眼表温度的平均值与术前相比存在显著差异（p≤0.05）。各检测区域的温度均出现下降，术后第14天降幅最大，术后第28天温度回升至与术前相当的水平。
结论：白内障术后随访末期的眼表温度降低，可能与超声乳化术后泪膜稳定性下降有关。因此，在白内障手术的临床管理中，应告知患者术后1个月内可能出现干眼症相关临床症状的可能性。白内障术后眼表温度未出现升高，提示未发生显著炎症反应，且术后约1个月的眼表温度与术前水平相当。但需注意，老年患者中年龄与眼表温度呈负相关的现象应予以关注。