Gut Instinct

Does stomach surgery raise the risk of dry eye disease? A Korean study offers new clues

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Gastrectomy is associated with a higher long-term risk of developing dry eye disease (DED) according to a Korean cohort study.
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The study analyzed over 5,400 gastrectomy patients and nearly 22,000 matched controls to assess ocular surface health.
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Total gastrectomy significantly increased DED risk with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.40, especially in older males and lower-income groups.
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Colectomy did not show an increased risk of DED, indicating the specific impact of upper GI tract alterations on ocular health.
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The findings suggest that post-gastrectomy patients require closer monitoring for dry eye symptoms and nutritional assessments.

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