Changes in IOP after Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Introduction Cataract and glaucoma are the leading causes of blindness, with glaucoma, mainly due to rise in intraocular pressure in developing countries. Long term raised intraocular pressure leads to visual field defect. Certain interventions for e.g. anti glaucoma drugs, laser iridotomy, filtration surgery have been attempted throughout the years. Relation between cataract surgery like phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and intraocular pressure has prompted early visual recovery and control of intraocular pressure. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an uncomplicated phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure by comparing it to preoperative values and subsequent post-operative values along with preop and postop changes in anterior chamber depth. It was also aimed at finding out whether phacoemulsification can be an alternative for IOP control which, alone, can prevent future complications associated with rise in IOP leading to visual field loss. Materials and methods: Ethics committee approval was obtained and the study was then conducted with 150 eyes of patients enrolled through ophthalmology department of Dhiraj Hospital. These candidates confined to the inclusion criteria of the study. We studied pre op and post op intraocular pressure at day 1, week 1, 4, 12. IOP fluctuation was observed in follow ups along with changes in anterior chamber depth. The data obtained was statistically analyzed and compiled. XII Results: Out of 150 eyes, the mean IOP decrease was found to be 1.69±2.313 (11.5%) at post op week 12 from baseline which was statistically significant. We also found that there was a transient rise of IOP on post op day 1. The mean rise on post op day 1 was 0.21 (0.70%). We also compared pre op and post op anterior chamber depth. The mean change was 1.23 ± 0.33 at 12 weeks post operatively Conclusion: Our study confirms Cataract surgery (phaco) with PCIOL causes reduction in IOP which remains sustained for months. This could prove to be promising in treatment of cataract with coexisting glaucoma.