Surgery-associated dry eye is a common complication after eye surgery. The major causes can be attributed to surgery-induced damage of ocular surface epithelial cells, transection of the afferent sensory nerve fibers in the cornea, vigorous irrigation of tear film during surgery, and the use of medication after the surgery. Prevention of surgery-associated dry eye is mandatory to reduce the incidence of this disorder, and appropriate treatment can improve the outcome of eye surgery. More studies regarding the mechanism, prevention and treatment are required to increase our knowledge of surgery-associated dry eye.