Efficacy of anterior chamber decompression in controlling early intraocular pressure spikes after uneventful phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of anterior chamber decompression in the management of intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes in the early period after uneventful phacoemulsification. SETTING: Royal Free Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Free and University College London Medical School, London, United Kingdom. METHODS: This prospective case series comprised 11 consecutive patients with otherwise healthy eyes who an IOP of at least 40 mm Hg 4 to 6 hours after phacoemulsification. After anterior chamber decompression, the IOP was measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes or until it exceeded 40 mm Hg. RESULTS: The mean IOP 4 to 6 hours postoperatively was 47.09 mm Hg +/- 7.92 (SD) (range 40 to 68 mm Hg). After decompression, the IOP dropped significantly to a mean of 4.73 +/- 3.00 mm Hg at 0 minutes (P<.001) and then increased progressively to 23.36 +/- 10.80 mm Hg at 15 minutes (P<.001), 33.82 +/- 11.74 mm Hg at 30 minutes (P=.005), 35.00 +/- 6.53 mm Hg at 45 minutes (P=.015), and 38.50 +/- 2.51 mm Hg at 60 minutes (P=.041). CONCLUSIONS: Marked IOP spikes developed in eyes without glaucoma or ocular hypertension after uneventful phacoemulsification. Anterior chamber decompression immediately lowered IOP, but the effect was transient.     

Preoperative latanoprost to prevent ocular hypertension after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of latanoprost given 2 hours preoperatively to prevent ocular hypertension in the early period after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology, United Christian Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China. METHODS: Sixty-four eyes of 64 patients with uncomplicated cataract having phacoemulsification with PC IOL implantation were included in this prospective randomized double-masked clinical trial. The eyes were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: application of latanoprost 0.005% 2 hours before surgery or no latanoprost (control). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured 3 and 24 hours postoperatively. The anterior chamber was examined for the level of cells and flare using a slitlamp biomicroscope. The level of significance was 5%. RESULTS: The decrease in the mean IOP was not statistically significantly different between eyes receiving latanoprost 2 hours preoperatively and control eyes 3 hours (P =.843) and 24 hours (P =.721) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: A single application of latanoprost given 2 hours before phacoemulsification and PC IOL implantation did not produce a statistically significant IOP-lowering effect when compared with a control group in the first 24 hours after surgery.     

Same-day versus first-day review of intraocular pressure after uneventful phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence and the spectrum of postoperative complications detected when the intraocular pressure (IOP) is reviewed 4 to 6 hours or the day after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 141 patients who had uneventful phacoemulsification and IOL implantation under regional (peribulbar/topical) or general anesthesia. Postoperative evaluation of the patients was performed by an ophthalmologist using a standard form at 4 to 6 hours or 24 hours. RESULTS: The mean IOP at 4 to 6 hours and 24 hours was 22.85 mm Hg +/- 9.56 (SD) and 19.44 +/- 7.04 mm Hg, respectively. The IOP was more likely to be greater than 30 mm Hg when measured on the same day, resulting in a significantly higher intervention rate than on the first day (P =.037). The best corrected visual acuity was significantly better at 24 hours than at the same-day review (P <.001). There was no significant difference in the extent of anterior chamber activity, patient comfort, or state of the wound between the same- or next-day follow-up. All patients attended a follow-up appointment 3 weeks after surgery, had an IOP of 21 mm Hg or less, and were subsequently discharged. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that moderate IOP spikes (<40 mm Hg) can be left untreated if they are not associated with corneal edema or patient discomfort as they decline spontaneously. Before they are discharged, patients with compromised optic discs or predisposed to retinal or optic nerve pathology should be carefully evaluated the day after surgery to treat IOP elevations.     

原发性闭角型青光眼中白内障超声乳化联合IOL植入术的疗效

目的:评价白内障超声乳化联合人工晶状体(intraocular lens,IOL)植入术治疗眼压控制的急性闭角型青光眼和慢性闭角型青光眼患者的疗效及安全性。方法:将45例60眼白内障眼压控制的急性闭角型青光眼和慢性闭角型青光眼随机分为两组,一组采用白内障超声乳化联合IOL植入术,一组采用激光虹膜切开术(laser iridotomy,LI)。比较两组眼内压、抗青光眼药物使用数目、并发症、前房内皮细胞计数的差别。结果:IOL组中,随访6mo后的眼内压由术前的14.82±4.23mmHg下降到10.94±1.24mmHg,而LI组的眼内压并无明显变化(15.34±4.13mmHgvs14.68±4.77mmHg),采用重复测量资料的方差分析显示两组的眼内压变化有显著统计学差异(F=36.452,P<0.01)。IOL组6mo后基本未采用抗青光眼药物,而LI组使用抗青光眼药物个数为0.24±0.41个(P<0.05)。两组在并发症及前房内皮细胞计数方面无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:白内障超声乳化联合IOL植入可有效降低眼压控制的急性闭角型青光眼和慢性闭角型青光眼的眼内压水平,该治疗方法安全有效,是这类患者首选的治疗方法之一。     

Effect of intracameral acetylcholine on latanoprost in preventing ocular hypertension after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intracameral acetylcholine on latanoprost in preventing ocular hypertension in the early period after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. METHODS: Patients with uncomplicated cataract having phacoemulsification with PC IOL implantation were included in this prospective randomized double-masked clinical trial. The eyes were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups based on postoperative application of latanoprost 0.005% alone (Group 1), latanoprost 0.005% with intracameral acetylcholine (Group 2), intracameral acetylcholine alone (Group 3), and no medication (controls (Group 4). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured 3 and 24 hours postoperatively. The anterior chamber was examined for the level of cells and flare using slitlamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: Three and 24 hours after surgery, the decrease in mean IOP in eyes receiving latanoprost alone was not statistically significantly different from that in control eyes (P >.05). Eyes receiving intracameral acetylcholine alone had a significant decrease in the mean IOP at 3 hours (P <.05) but not at 24 hours compared to control eyes (P >.05). There were no significant differences in the mean postoperative IOP decrease between eyes receiving latanoprost with intracameral acetylcholine and those receiving intracameral acetylcholine alone (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: A single application of latanoprost did not significantly lower IOP in the first 24 hours after phacoemulsification with PC IOL implantation. Eyes receiving intracameral acetylcholine alone had a significantly greater decrease in IOP than control eyes at 3 hours but not at 24 hours. The addition of intracameral acetylcholine to latanoprost did not enhance or reduce latanoprost's IOP-lowering effect.     

Foldable acrylic versus rigid polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens in combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy

BACKGROUND: Combined trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification is a widely accepted option in treating patients with glaucoma who also have cataracts. Implantation of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) in cataract surgery has several theoretical advantages.We performed a study to determine the results of combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and implantation of either a foldable acrylic or rigid polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) IOL. METHODS: Review of the charts of 58 consecutive patients (60 eyes) who underwent combined phacotrabeculectomy for concomitant cataract and glaucoma at a university-affiliated hospital in Montreal between September 2001 and December 2002. Forty-one eyes received a foldable acrylic lens (3.2-mm-wide incision), and 19 eyes received a rigid PMMA lens (5.2-mm-wide incision). Outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) and postoperative complications. The results in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Earlier recovery of visual acuity was noted in the foldable IOL group than in the rigid IOL group (p = 0.013 for the difference at day 7). IOP control was similar in the two groups, as was the incidence of IOP spikes in the early postoperative period. INTERPRETATION: The results suggest that combined phacotrabeculectomy with mitomycin C using a foldable acrylic IOL allows for good postoperative IOP control and earlier visual recovery than the same procedure with insertion of a rigid PMMA lens.     

Long-term intraocular pressure control after clear corneal phacoemulsification in glaucoma patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term IOP control after sutureless clear corneal phacoemulsification in eyes with preoperatively controlled glaucoma. SETTING: Institutional study. METHODS: The charts of 345 patients who had uneventful sutureless clear corneal phacoemulsification with acrylic foldable lens (IOL) implantation were retrospectively reviewed. Included were 58 patients with medically controlled open-angle glaucoma and 287 normal controls. Follow-up was 1 to 2 years. Outcome measures were postoperative IOP and number of glaucoma medications. RESULTS: Postoperatively, there was an insignificant decrease in IOP in the glaucoma group; the mean decrease was 1.5 mm Hg +/- 4.4 (SD) at 12 months and 1.9 +/- 4.9 mm Hg at 24 months. The mean number of medications decreased significantly at 12 months (0.53 +/- 0.86) and at 24 months (0.38 +/- 0.9) (P=.04). The control group also had a significant decrease in IOP, with a mean decrease of 0.72 +/- 3.7 mm Hg at 12 months (P=.01) and 1.33 +/- 3.2 mm Hg at 24 months (P<.0001). The decrease in IOP was more pronounced in eyes with a higher preoperative IOP in both the glaucoma and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that sutureless clear corneal phacoemulsification with foldable acrylic IOL implantation is a relatively simple and efficient surgical option in patients with cataract and well-controlled glaucoma. The approach combines long-term IOP control with fewer medications and leads to rapid visual rehabilitation.     

Medical control of intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of oral acetazolamide, topical brinzolamide 1%, and no ocular hypotensive medication after phacoemulsification. SETTING: Adnan Menderes University Department of Ophthalmology, Aydin, Turkey. METHODS: This prospective randomized double-blind study comprised 60 eyes of 52 patients having phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia. There were no intraoperative complications. Eyes were randomized to receive oral acetazolamide 500 mg 1 hour preoperatively followed by 250 mg acetazolamide every 6 hours, 1 drop of brinzolamide 1% every 12 hours starting immediately after speculum removal, or no ocular hypotensive medication. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using a Perkins tonometer preoperatively and 4 to 6 hours and 18 to 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative IOP was not significantly different between the 3 groups. Four to 6 hours postoperatively, the acetazolamide group (P=.002) and brinzolamide group (P=.001) had significantly lower IOP than the control group. The same trend was observed at 18 to 24 hours in the brinzolamide group (P=.001) but not the acetazolamide group (P=.018). The IOP levels were not significantly different between the acetazolamide group and brinzolamide group at any postoperative time point. No eye receiving medication and 2 eyes (10%) in the control group had an IOP of 30 mm Hg or higher 4 to 6 hours postoperatively. Compared with preoperatively, an IOP increase of more than 5 mm Hg was seen at 4 to 6 hours in 3 eyes (15%), 2 eyes (10%), and 14 eyes (70%) in the acetazolamide, brinzolamide, and control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Brinzolamide was as effective as acetazolamide in preventing IOP elevation 4 to 6 hours after phacoemulsification and more effective than acetazolamide at 18 to 24 hours.     

白内障超声乳化IOL植入术后早期高眼压的临床分析

目的:探讨白内障超声乳化人工晶状体植入术后早期高眼压(IOP)发生的相关因素及应对措施.方法:对我院2014-01/2016-01完成的白内障超声乳化人工晶状体植入术658例726眼临床资料进行回顾分析.结果:术后发生高眼压共38眼,发生率为5.2％.术后眼压升高的幅度为21～ 55 mmHg,大多数患者出现高眼压的时间为术后6～24h.其中主要的相关因素:前房黏弹剂残留24眼(63.2％),葡萄膜炎9眼(23.7％),前房积血2眼(5.3％),皮质残留2眼(5.3％),囊袋阻滞综合征1眼(2.6％).应用降眼压药物,抗炎治疗联合前房放液,术后3d均能有效控制眼压≤21 mmHg,其中囊袋阻滞综合征1眼联合YAG激光治疗.结论:黏弹剂残留和炎症反应是引起术后高眼压的主要原因.术前评估,提高手术技巧,术后及时发现和正确处理,能有效防止术后高眼压,促进视功能的恢复.     

Early postoperative spikes of the intraocular pressure (IOP) following phacoemulsification in late-stage glaucoma

BACKGROUND: Modern cataract surgery with use of viscoelastics can induce remarkable early spikes of the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate risk factors for an early increase of the IOP following cataract surgery in eyes with end-stage glaucoma. Clear cornea phacoemulsification with implantation of a foldable acrylic lens was performed in 25 eyes with end-stage glaucoma (primary open-angle glaucoma including normal tension glaucoma or exfoliative glaucoma) either under topical anesthesia or under general anesthesia. In eyes with exfoliative glaucoma, trabecular aspiration was performed additionally. IOP measurements were conducted at the day before surgery, 4 hours following surgery and on the first morning following surgery. RESULTS: Cataract surgery was performed without complications. The mean IOP was 18.5 +/- 4.2 mm Hg with 2.1 +/- 1.0 topical medications. 4 hours postoperatively, mean IOP was 31.3 +/- 11.9 mm Hg. In eyes with exfoliative glaucoma (n = 12) the early postoperative IOP was 28.5 +/- 12.0 mm Hg, but without significant difference compared to eyes with POAG (n = 13). The early postoperative IOP showed significant correlation with the maximum IOP in patient's history (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with late-stage glaucoma can experience considerable early IOP spikes following uneventful cataract surgery, although preoperatively IOP is controlled by topical medications. Postoperative IOP monitoring is recommended at the day of surgery, especially if high IOP values are reported in patient's history.     

超声乳化白内障手术对剥脱综合征性青光眼的降眼压作用

目的 观察和分析剥脱综合征性青光眼患者行超声乳化白内障摘除人工晶体植入术后的眼压变化。方法 对7例伴有高眼压、明显影响视力的白内障但尚无严重的视神经、视野损害的剥脱综合征患者施行超声乳化白内障摘除人工晶体植入术，比较手术前后的眼压变化。结果 术前平均眼压31．57mmHg，术后1周时平均眼压18．19mmHg，降幅为13．38mmHg，术前术后眼压差异极显著。结论 伴有明显影响视力白内障的剥脱综合征性青光眼病人在行超声乳化白内障摘除人工晶体植入术后眼压会显著下降，对那些尚未发生明显视神经视野损害的剥脱综合征性青光眼患者，行超声乳化白内障摘除人工晶体植入术可有效降低眼压。     

Early intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth changes after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in nonglaucomatous eyes. Comparison of groups stratified by axial length

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) after phacoemulsification according to axial length (AL). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, South Korea. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 71 eyes of 71 patients who had phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The IOP changes preoperatively and 1 day and 1, 3, and 5 weeks postoperatively and ACD changes preoperatively and at 1 day and 3 and 5 weeks were analyzed by AL (AL1, 21.0 to <23.0 mm; AL2, 23.0 to <25.0 mm; AL3, 25.0 to <27.0 mm; AL4, >or=27.0 mm). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative IOP according to AL. However, there was a statistically significant postoperative IOP decrease in the AL1 and AL2 groups and a statistically significant IOP increase in the AL3 and AL4 groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the preoperative ACD between AL groups and a statistically significant increase in ACD with increased AL from preoperatively to 1, 3, and 5 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: After uneventful phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation, the IOP and ACD changed significantly according to AL in the early postoperative period. The AL appeared to predict these changes.     

白内障术后早期眼压变化及相关影响因素分析

目的探讨影响晶状体超声乳化吸出术后早期眼压变化的相关因素及临床意义。方法120例（136眼）行晶状体超声乳化吸出联合人工晶状体植入术，测量术前、术后24h和72h的眼压，比较不同麻醉方式（表面麻醉、球后浸润麻醉）、不同手术切口（巩膜切口、透明角膜切口）、术后口服皮质类固醇与否对术后早期眼压变化的影响。结果术后24h眼压较术前高，72h基本达到术前或略低于术前眼压。晶状体超声乳化术的麻醉方式和术后是否使用皮质类固醇与术后早期眼压变化具有相关性，相关系数分别为0．187和0．280（P〈0．014和P〈0．001）。球后浸润麻醉的术后眼压较表面麻醉的眼压相对增高；术后不用皮质类固醇比用皮质类固醇眼压相对增高。不同手术切口对术后早期眼压变化则无相关性。结论表面麻醉和术后口服皮质类固醇对白内障超声乳化术后早期眼压的影响较小。     

抗青光眼滤过术后白内障摘除术对眼内压长期影响的临床观察

目的探讨抗青光眼滤过术后白内障摘除术对眼内压的长期影响。方法对抗青光眼滤过术后白内障患者69例69眼随机分为三组,分别采用颞侧角巩膜缘切口白内障囊外摘除及人工晶状体植入术(简称ECCE组)(18例18眼)、颞侧角巩膜缘隧道切口超声乳化白内障吸除及人工晶体植入术(简称角巩膜缘超声乳化组)(25例25眼)和上方透明角膜切口超声乳化白内障吸除及折叠式人工晶体植入术(简称透明角膜超声乳化组)(26例26眼),术后平均随访26个月,分别观察眼压和视力并进行比较。结果ECCE组、角巩膜缘超声乳化组、透明角膜超声乳化组术后最后一次随访时平均眼压升高分别为2.75mmHg,1.82mmHg和1.68mmHg,与术前比较,差异均无统计学意义(>0.05);视力改善分别为12眼(70.6%)、23眼(92.0%)和24眼(92.3%);ECCE组与角巩膜缘超声乳化组和透明角膜超声乳化组比较,术后效果低于两种超声乳化组,差异有统计学意义(<0.05),两种超声乳化组间比较,差异无统计学意义(>O.05)。结论抗青光眼滤过术后三种白内障摘除术术后眼压均可有效控制,视力改善,超声乳化白内障吸除术尤其是经透明角膜切口折叠式人工晶体植入术术后长期对眼压影响小,视力恢复快,是目前此类白内障手术的最佳术式。     

Risk factors for a postoperative intraocular pressure spike after phacoemulsification

Background: The aim of our study was to examine several potential risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes 2 to 3 hours after phacoemulsification.Methods: 50 eyes of 50 consecutive patients undergoing uncomplicated phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia were included in this prospective study. The following variables were recorded:preoperative IOP, nuclear colour,cortical lens opacity,posterior subcapsular lens opacity,patient age;and presence or absence of preexisting glaucoma.Results: The mean IOP at each time interval was as follows: preoperatively, 14.5 (SD 3.4) mm Hg; 2-3 hours postoperatively, 23.1 (7.0) mm Hg; and 24 hours postoperatively, 17.0 (6.0) mm Hg. The postoperative IOP was significantly higher than baseline at 2-3 hours (p < 0.001) and at 24 hours (p = 0.002). Overall there were 10 cases (20%) of IOP spikes 2-3 hours postoperatively. Higher mean baseline IOP was significantly associated with postoperative IOP spikes (p = 0.013). Patient age, sex, operating surgeon, absolute phacoemulsification time, lens nuclear colour, cortical opacity, and posterior opacity were not significantly different between groups with or without an IOP spike (p > 0.05).Interpretation: Patients with high IOP at the preoperative assessment are more likely to have IOP spikes after surgery and should be scheduled at the start of the operating list. In a day-case setting with restricted opening hours, postoperative checks in those patients at risk of IOP spikes can then coincide with the time IOP reaches its peak.     

Effect of a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination on intraocular pressure after small-incision cataract surgery with Viscoat

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination (Cosopt) on intraocular pressure (IOP) after small-incision cataract surgery with sodium chondroitin sulfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3% (Viscoat). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. METHODS: This prospective randomized study comprised 76 eyes of 38 patients scheduled for small-incision cataract surgery in both eyes. Patients were randomized to receive 1 drop of the fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination in 1 eye or no treatment (control) immediately after cataract surgery. The fellow eye received the other assigned treatment. Cataract surgery was performed with Viscoat in an identical fashion in both eyes. The IOP was measured preoperatively and 6 hours, 20 to 24 hours, and 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: Six hours after surgery, the mean increase in IOP was significantly lower in the dorzolamide-timolol group than in the control group (4.3 mm Hg +/- 5.6 [SD] versus 8.4 +/- 6.1 mm Hg; P =.003). Two eyes in the dorzolamide-timolol group and 9 in the control group had IOP spikes of 30 mm Hg or higher (P =.022). Twenty to 24 hours after surgery, the mean IOP change was -2.6 +/- 3.3 mm Hg in the dorzolamide-timolol group and 1.5 +/- 3.2 mm Hg in the control group (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination was effective in reducing IOP 6 hours and 20 to 24 hours after cataract surgery. However, it did not prevent Viscoat-induced IOP spikes of 30 mm Hg or higher.     

Combined cataract surgery, intraocular lens implantation, and viscocanalostomy.

PURPOSE: To describe 2 techniques of combined viscocanalostomy and phacoemulsification and report the results. SETTING: Gimbel Eye Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. METHODS: Combined viscocanalostomy, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation was performed in 83 eyes. A shared scleral incision was made in 46 eyes and a clear corneal incision separate from the viscocanalostomy site, in 37 eyes. A retrospective review of these cases was performed. RESULTS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) was significantly lower in both groups 2 and 8 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. The decline in IOP postoperatively over time was also comparable. There were no cases of hypotony, choroidal detachment, filtrating bleb, or postoperative cystoid macular edema in either group. Complications included IOP spikes in 2 eyes in the shared-incision group at 1 day (to 43 and 30 mm Hg, respectively). In early shared-incision cases, there was 1 obvious Descement's puncture in 1 eye and a torn scleral flap requiring extra suturing in another eye. CONCLUSION: Combined viscocanalostomy, cataract extraction, and IOL implantation was safe and efficacious in lowering IOP whether a shared scleral incision or a separate clear corneal incision was used for phacoemulsification.     

Evaluation of intraocular pressure in the immediate postoperative period after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of hypotony and intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in the immediate and early postoperative period after temporal posterior limbal phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: Ambulatory surgical center. METHODS: This prospective analysis comprised 310 eyes that had temporal posterior limbal phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Surgical parameters included keratome incision of 2.85 mm, incision length of 2.5 mm, peribulbar anesthesia, case-completion IOP of 20 mm Hg, and postoperative lid taping. The IOP measurements were collected preoperatively and 30 minutes and 1 day after surgery. RESULTS: Nineteen eyes (6.1%) had an IOP lower than 5 mm Hg 30 minutes postoperatively in the absence of incision leakage at the paracentesis or keratome sites. Eighteen of the 19 eyes with postoperative hypotony received hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2% (OcuCoat) and 1 received hypromellose 2% (Cellugel). None of the 23 eyes with an acrylic IOL implanted via a cylindrical lens inserter had an IOP lower than 5 mm Hg postoperatively. Suturing did not significantly affect the incidence of hypotony, and there were no postoperative complications related to hypotony. The mean IOP at 30 minutes was lower than at 1 day in the normal, glaucoma, and glaucoma-suspect groups. Twenty-one normal eyes (8.1%), 5 glaucoma eyes (15.6%), and 1 glaucoma-suspect eye (5%) had an IOP greater than 30 mm Hg 1 day postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative hypotony (IOP <5 mm Hg) occurred in 19 (6.1%) of 310 eyes. At 1 day, IOP higher than 30 mm Hg was more frequent in glaucoma eyes than in normal eyes. Although there were no direct problems related to hypotony at 30 minutes or to elevated IOP (>30 mm Hg) at 1 day, surgeons should be aware of and check for IOP variability (low and high) that can occur in normal, glaucoma, and glaucoma-suspect eyes within the first 24 hours after surgery.     

Latanoprost versus timolol gel to prevent ocular hypertension after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of latanoprost and timolol gel in preventing ocular hypertension in the early period after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China. METHODS: This prospective randomized double-masked clinical trial comprised patients with uncomplicated cataract having phacoemulsification with PC IOL implantation. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: postoperative application of timolol 0.5% gel-forming solution (Timoptol-XE(R)) (Group 1), latanoprost 0.005% (Group 2), and control (Group 3). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured 2, 4, and 24 hours postoperatively. The anterior chamber was examined for the levels of cells and flare using slitlamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: Group 1 had a significantly greater reduction in mean IOP 2, 4, and 24 hours after phacoemulsification and PC IOL implantation than Group 3 (P <.05). There were no significant differences between Groups 2 and 3 at any interval (P. 05). No excessive postoperative anterior chamber inflammation was observed in any group. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of latanoprost given after phacoemulsification and PC IOL implantation did not produce a significant IOP-lowering effect when compared with a control group in the first 24 hours postoperatively. A single dose of timolol gel produced a significant postoperative IOP decrease as soon as 2 hours and up to 24 hours after surgery. Timolol gel and latanoprost are safe, but timolol is more effective than latanoprost in preventing postoperative ocular hypertension.     

Intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation in open-angle glaucoma

BACKGROUND: To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification (Phaco) with posterior chamber lens (PC IOL) implantation in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) at least 2 years after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 19 eyes of 13 POAG patients who underwent uneventful clear cornea Phaco with PC IOL implantation and with follow-up of at least 2 years after surgery were included in this retrospective study. None of them had previous intraocular surgery or argon laser trabeculoplasty. RESULTS: The average preoperative IOP was 16.9 +/- 2.02 mm Hg. The average follow-up of was 36 +/- 11.8 months. 1 week after surgery a significant decrease in average IOP was observed (13.8 +/- 3.0 mm Hg; P = 0.000). 1 and 4 months after surgery IOP was still significantly lower than preoperatively. 8 months after surgery IOP significantly increased to 15.9 mm Hg (+/- 2.9 mm Hg; P = 0.022) with respect to 1 week postoperatively, but then again significantly decreased to 15.5 mm Hg (+/- 2.6 mm Hg; P = 0.020) 1 year after surgery and stayed approximately the same at 2 and 3 years after surgery. After 4 years the average IOP was 15.0 mm Hg (+/- 3.1 mm Hg; P = 0.216), that was statistically insignificant because of the small number of patients. In 79% (15 eyes) of our cases medical antiglaucoma treatment was unchanged, in 21% (4 eyes) the therapy was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Uneventful Phaco with PC IOL implantation in good medically controlled POAG eyes was associated with a statistically significant long-term decrease in IOP, allowing the reduction of postoperative antiglaucoma medications in more than 20% of the eyes.