Changes in intraocular pressure after clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after clear corneal phacoemulsification (CCP) in normal patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study including 273 normal patients selected for cataract extraction by CCP. Intraocular pressure was recorded on the 15(th) day, l(st), 2(nd), 3(rd) month and 6 months after surgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: For statistical analysis, Epi Info was used to determine the statistical significance of changes in IOP. RESULTS: The mean age of 96 women and 177 men was 71 ± 12 years. The mean IOP before surgery was 14.18 ± 3.4 mmHg. Our patients showed a mean decrease in IOP of 2.25 mmHg (16%) compared to preoperative values. Change in IOP was not related to lens thickness (P = 0.12), but significantly correlated with change in anterior chamber depth (ACD) (P = 0.002). The postoperative IOP was inversely related to preoperative ACD (P = 0.012). Age, sex and axial length were not significantly related to IOP reduction (P = 0.2–0.5) CONCLUSION: CCP was associated with a statistically significant reduction in IOP. The exact mechanism by which cataract surgery results in IOP reduction is unclear. CCP can be performed with the intent of achieving better IOP control.