TOPLINE:

The administration of low-level light therapy before and after cataract surgery relieved symptoms of dry eye, a frequent complication of the procedure. This noninvasive treatment also enhanced the stability of the tear film and reduced the osmolarity of tear fluid, supporting its incorporation into routine perioperative care for patients undergoing cataract surgery.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-level light therapy in preventing dry eye disease in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Those with a prior diagnosis of ocular surface disease or dry eye disease, any history of ocular surgery in either eye, or ocular comorbidities were excluded.
• Overall, 89 patients (45 men; mean age, 73.75 years) received either periocular low-level light therapy using a specialized device at specific wavelengths (633 ± 10 nm) or sham treatment 7 days before and 7 days after surgery. The sham treatment mimicked low-level light therapy in terms of procedure; however, the intensity of light in the sham treatment was too low to provide a therapeutic effect.
• Symptoms of dry eye disease (assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire), stability of the tear film, production of tears (assessed using the Schirmer type 1 test), tear osmolarity, and damage to the cornea (assessed through corneal fluorescein staining) were evaluated at three timepoints: before surgery (baseline), 1 week, and 1 month after surgery.

TAKEAWAY:

• Patients who received low-level light therapy showed significant improvements in mean Ocular Surface Disease Index scores from baseline (26.62) to 1 week (15.53) and 1 month (13.36) after surgery (P < .001); however, the scores notably worsened in those receiving sham treatment.
• The stability of the tear film increased and tear osmolarity decreased significantly after cataract surgery in patients receiving low-level light therapy. In patients receiving sham treatment, the stability of the tear film did not improve, and tear osmolarity increased after cataract surgery.
• Among patients who received low-level light therapy, the corneal fluorescein staining scores remained stable across all timepoints, suggesting that the integrity of the corneal epithelium was preserved despite cataract surgery. Patients who received sham treatment showed a substantial increase in corneal fluorescein staining scores, indicating damage to the corneal epithelium.
• No adverse effects related to the low-level light therapy were reported.

IN PRACTICE:

The low-level light therapy “may enhance postoperative comfort and increase overall patient satisfaction with surgical recovery,” the researchers reported.

“A major advantage of this therapy is its noninvasive and ease-of-use nature, with no need for operator presence during the entire treatment,” they added.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Mihaela-Madalina Timofte-Zorila, of the Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, Romania. It was published online on August 24, 2025, in Ophthalmology and Therapy.

LIMITATIONS:

The follow-up period of 1 month was short. Stratified analyses based on disease severity at baseline could help identify subgroups that derive the greatest benefit from this treatment.

DISCLOSURES:

This study did not receive any funding. The authors reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.