Early Changes in Intraocular Pressure Following Phacoemulsification

Purpose: to evaluate early postoperative changes in intraocular pressure (iop) following phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (iol) implantation. methods: this prospective study included 129 eyes with open angles and normal or high iop undergoing phacoemulsification and iol implantation for senile cataracts. the patients were divided into 3 groups (gs) based on preoperative iop: ≤15 mmhg (g1, n=76); from 16 to 20 mmhg (g2, n=43) and; from 21 to 30 mmhg (g3, n=10). iop was measured by goldmann applanation tonometry one day before surgery, and 1 and 6 weeks postoperatively. results: iop was decreased postoperatively in all study groups 1 and 6 weeks after surgery as follows: 2.8±1.5 and 1.8±1.7 mmhg respectively in g1 (p<0.001); 4.2±1.9 and 4.3±2.9 mmhg respectively in g2 (p<0.001), and 8.3±4.3 and 9.3±4.1 mmhg respectively in g3 (p<0.001). at the end of the sixth postoperative week, the percentage of iop change for g1, g2 and g3 was 13.5%±12.7, 24.5%±11.7 and 38.3%±16.2, respectively. conclusion: iop significantly decreased after phacoemulsification and iol implantation in normal subjects with open angles and those with ocular hypertension. iop reduction was greater in eyes with higher preoperative iop.