Pre-Operation

Pre-Op Assessment

Dry eye screening before LASIK and cataract surgery is essential for better surgical outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

Treatment August 2026 · 5 min read

Why Pre-Op Screening Matters

Studies show that up to 80% of patients referred for cataract surgery have some degree of dry eye disease. Undiagnosed dry eye can compromise surgical outcomes, lead to inaccurate biometry measurements, and result in dissatisfied patients — even when the surgery itself is technically successful.

80%
of pre-surgical patients have some degree of dry eye
higher risk of poor surgical outcomes without screening
6 min
average time for a CSI pre-op dry eye assessment

Unmanaged dry eye before surgery can lead to:

  • Inaccurate dry eye measurements from unstable tear film
  • Poor surgical dry eye examinations
  • Patient dissatisfaction despite successful procedures
  • Delayed visual recovery and fluctuating vision

A dry eye evaluation before surgery isn't optional — it's the foundation of a successful outcome. Treating dry eye pre-operatively protects both the patient and the surgical result.

How CSI Helps

CSI Dry Eye is point-of-care diagnostic software that provides a standardised, efficient pre-operative screening protocol for optometrists and ophthalmologists, integrating seamlessly into your surgical workflow.

1

Screen

Administer the CSI questionnaire to every pre-surgical patient. The standardised scoring identifies dry eye risk in minutes.

2

Assess

Review the CSI score alongside clinical findings. The system identifies patients who need further dry eye assessment before surgery.

3

Treat & Proceed

Optimise the ocular surface before surgery. CSI provides as-needed treatment recommendations to support surgical planning.

Seamless Integration

CSI is designed to fit into your existing pre-operative workflow without adding complexity. The system can administer the assessment in under 6 minutes, freeing the surgeon to focus on clinical decision-making.

  • Technician-administered — no doctor time required
  • Standardised scoring eliminates subjective variability
  • Track improvement over time with repeat assessments
  • Generate reports for documentation and patient education

The Impact on Patient Outcomes

Patients who receive pre-operative dry eye treatment report significantly higher satisfaction with their surgical outcomes. When the ocular surface is optimised before surgery, biometry measurements are more accurate, the healing process is smoother, and patients experience fewer post-operative complaints about visual quality.

For refractive surgery patients (LASIK, PRK), unmanaged dry eye is one of the leading causes of post-operative dissatisfaction. Identifying and treating dry eye before surgery — rather than managing complaints after — is both clinically and commercially sound practice for any optometrist or ophthalmologist performing pre-op screening.

Add CSI to Your Pre-Op Protocol

See how CSI Dry Eye can improve your surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction with standardised pre-operative dry eye screening.

Book a Demo →

Not Sure If You Have Dry Eye?

Take the 2-Minute Dry Eye Assessment

Answer a few quick questions to understand your symptoms before your pre-op consultation.

Start the Assessment →