Control of intraocular pressure with apraclonidine hydrochloride after cataract extraction

We conducted a randomly assigned, double-masked, controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride in controlling postoperative intraocular pressure increases in patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction. Apraclonidine hydrochloride was given either one hour preoperatively or immediately after uncomplicated, extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and compared with artificial tears given immediately postoperatively. Those who received apraclonidine hydrochloride preoperatively had significantly lower mean intraocular pressure at the first postoperative reading (P = .0005). After preoperative and postoperative apraclonidine hydrochloride, the mean early postoperative intraocular pressure was 19.8 mm Hg and 32.0 mm Hg, respectively, and 27.6 mm Hg after artificial tears. No patient who received preoperative apraclonidine hydrochloride had an intraocular pressure increase to 30 mm Hg or higher postoperatively. Nine of 20 patients (45%) who received postoperative apraclonidine hydrochloride and eight of 18 patients (44%) who received postoperative artificial tears had an increase of intraocular pressure to 30 mm Hg or higher in the early postoperative period. These differences were also highly significant (P = .0005).     

Effectiveness of apraclonidine 1% in preventing intraocular pressure rise following macular hole surgery

AIM: To determine the efficacy of apraclonidine hydrochloride 1% in preventing intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes following idiopathic macular hole (IMH) surgery with platelet adjunct and intraocular gas tamponade. METHODS: This is a prospective, double masked, randomised study to compare apraclonidine hydrochloride 1%, an alpha(2) agonist, with a placebo in the prevention of IOP rises following macular hole surgery. Each patient was randomly selected to receive either the study drug or the placebo; one drop was instilled in the conjunctival sac 2 hours preoperatively and on completion of the procedure. IOP was measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 24, 48 hours, and 2 weeks postoperatively. Blood pressure and heart rate were also recorded at baseline and at 3 and 24 hours postoperatively. Macular hole repair surgery was performed as standardised in the unit with a vitrectomy, platelet concentrate, and complete fill of the vitreous cavity with perfluoropropane gas (C(3)F(8)) at a concentration of 16%. RESULTS: 25 patients (26 eyes) were enrolled. 12 eyes received apraclonidine hydrochloride 1% (mean age 70.7; range 62-78 years) and 14 eyes received the placebo (mean age 70.0; range 57-81 years). At baseline evaluation the mean IOP was 15.6 mm Hg for the study group and 14.3 mm Hg for the placebo group. The mean postoperative IOP at 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours was 10.6, 9.6, 8.2, and 14.0 mm Hg in the apraclonidine group. In the control group at the same time intervals the mean IOP was 23.4, 17.5, 19.2, and 24.7 mm Hg. These readings were statistically significant different: 1 hour (p=0.0001); 3 hours (p=0.0015); 6 hours (p<0.0001); and 24 hours (p=0.019), the readings at 48 hours and 2 weeks were not statistically significant different (p=0.15 and p=0.59). Only one of the patients in the study group had an IOP above 25 mm Hg at any time. In the control group an IOP above 25 mm Hg was found in seven patients (50%) at the 1 hour postoperative measurement. At 2 weeks the IOP was recorded below 25 mm Hg in all patients. No statistically significantly difference was noted between the two groups regarding the systolic or diastolic blood pressure values and the heart rate records. No local or systemic adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Apraclonidine hydrochloride 1% appears to be an efficacious and safe drug in the prophylaxis of early postoperative IOP elevations in patients undergoing macular hole surgery.     

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.     

Intraocular pressure after small incision cataract surgery: temporal sclerocorneal versus clear corneal incision

PURPOSE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using a temporal sclerocorneal or clear corneal incision. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. METHODS: One hundred patients (100 eyes) with cataract having phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation were randomly assigned to receive a temporal sclerocorneal or clear corneal tunnel incision. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and 6 hours, 1, 2, and 3 days, and 5 months postoperatively. Statistical significance was determined by nonparametric group comparisons using 2-sample random Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: Six hours postoperatively, the median IOP increase was significantly higher in the sclerocorneal tunnel group (57%) than in the clear corneal incision group (18%) (P <.001). No significant between-group difference in IOP was found at 1, 2, or 3 days or 5 months. At 5 months, IOP was 0.6 mm Hg lower than preoperatively in the sclerocorneal tunnel group and 1.5 mm Hg lower in the clear corneal group. CONCLUSIONS: After phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation, the immediate postoperative IOP increase was higher in eyes having a sclerocorneal incision than in those having a clear corneal tunnel incision. These results could be important in eyes with decreased outflow facility or preexisting optic nerve damage.     

白内障超声乳化吸出人工晶状体植入术后24小时眼压变化的临床分析

目的分析白内障超声乳化吸出人工晶状体植入术后24h眼压变化。方法选取125例（140只眼）进行白内障超声乳化吸出植入折叠式人工晶状体术患者,术中无并发症,在术前、术后4～8h、术后24h测眼压进行观察和分析。结果术后4～8h为眼压升高峰值期,眼压升高发生率为32.14%,眼压≥24mmHg为10.71%,最高值可达到40mmHg,术后24h后眼压逐渐下降。结论术后眼压的变化与粘弹剂的应用、核硬度及超声能量等因素有关。要重视白内障超声乳化术后早期眼压的监测,特别是术后4～8h的眼压测量。术中应该注意选择优质的粘弹剂或者合理的结合使用,并早期进行眼压观察。     

Long-term effects of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in normotensive and ocular hypertensive eyes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term effect of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation alone in normotensive and ocular hypertensive eyes. SETTING: Private practices, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Savannah, Georgia, USA. METHODS: The IOP before surgery, 1 year after surgery, and at the final chart recording in 588 eyes having phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was retrospectively reviewed. Before surgery, eyes were divided into 5 groups based on IOP at surgery, patient age at surgery, years of postoperative follow-up, and a comparison between IOP at 1 year and IOP at the final check. RESULTS: The final mean IOP reduction was 6.5 mm Hg (27%) in the 31 to 23 mm Hg presurgical IOP group (n = 19), 4.8 mm Hg (22%) in the 22 to 20 mm Hg group (n = 62), 2.5 mm Hg (14%) in the 19 to 18 mm Hg group (n = 86), and 1.6 mm Hg (9%) in the 17 to 15 mm Hg group (n = 223). In the 14 to 9 mm Hg group (n = 198), the mean IOP at the final examination was 0.2 mm Hg higher (0.1% increase). CONCLUSIONS: Stratifying eyes according to presurgical IOP showed greater long-term IOP reductions than previously reported. The reduction was proportional to the presurgical IOP. The decrease was greatest in eyes with the highest presurgical IOP. The IOP remained unchanged in eyes with the lowest presurgical IOP. The IOP reductions at 1 year were sustained over 10 years and were similar in patients of all ages.     

Brinzolamide 1% versus apraclonidine 0.5% to prevent intraocular pressure elevation after neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of brinzolamide 1% with that of apraclonidine 0.5% in preventing intraocular pressure (IOP) rise after neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients who had Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification were prospectively randomized to receive brinzolamide 1% (57 patients) or apraclonidine 0.5% (58 patients) approximately 1 hour before laser surgery. A masked observer measured IOP by Goldmann applanation tonometry before treatment and after treatment at 1, 2, and 3 hours and 7 days. RESULTS: The mean IOP changes from baseline were not statistically different between the study groups at 1, 2, and 3 hours and 7 days (P =.109, P = .764, P =.275, and P =.879, respectively). The incidence of IOP elevation of 5 mm Hg or higher was 12.2% (7 of 57 eyes) in the brinzolamide group and 10.3% (6 of 58 eyes) in the apraclonidine group (P = .743); IOP elevations of 10 mm Hg and greater occurred in 3.5% (2 of 57 eyes) and 1.7% (1 of 58 eyes) (P = .618), respectively. There were no IOP elevations greater than 20 mm Hg in either group. CONCLUSION: Brinzolamide 1% and apraclonidine 0.5% given prophylactically before Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy were effective in preventing IOP spikes after treatment.     

Effect of apraclonidine versus dorzolamide on intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride and 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride in controlling postoperative intraocular pressure elevation in patients undergoing phacoemulsification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted. Seventy-five patients were randomized to receive either 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride, 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride, or artificial tears immediately after uncomplicated phacoemulsification. Intraocular pressure was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometer 1 to 3 hours preoperatively and 24 hours and 5 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean intraocular pressure measured at 24 hours and 5 days after surgery was not significantly different between groups. None of the patients had an elevated intraocular pressure of 30 mm Hg or higher. No marked difference was observed in patient age, preoperative intraocular pressure, mean ultrasound time, degree of nuclear hardness, and amount of postoperative intraocular inflammation between groups. CONCLUSION: Uneventful phacoemulsification involving meticulous cortical and viscoelastic removal does not cause a significant increase in intraocular pressure 24 hours following surgery.     

Intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in nonglaucomatous eyes with and without exfoliation

PURPOSE: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in nonglaucomatous eyes with and without exfoliation. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. METHODS: One hundred ninety-six eyes that had phacoemulsification with IOL implantation were examined. Eyes with a history of intraocular disease or surgery that could affect IOP were excluded. The study comprised the remaining 160 eyes: 23 with exfoliation (EXF group) and 137 without exfoliation (non-EXF group). Follow-up data were available for 136 eyes. The same surgeon performed all surgeries. Patients were examined on the first postoperative day and after 1 week, 4 months, and 1.0 to 2.7 years. RESULTS: One day postoperatively, IOP rose in the EXF group from a mean preoperative level of 16.3 mm Hg +/- 2.7 (SD) to 21.0 +/- 8.5 mm Hg, a 28.4% increase (P =.0061). In the non-EXF group, mean IOP rose from 16.2 +/- 3.4 mm Hg to 20.5 +/- 5.7 mm Hg, a 29.9% increase (P =.001). In 4 eyes (17.4%) in the EXF group and 8 eyes (5.8%) in the non-EXF group, IOP increased to 30 mm Hg or higher at 1 day. After this, significant IOP decreases occurred in both the EXF and non-EXF group, respectively, as follows: 14.2 +/- 3.0 mm Hg (12.0% decrease from preoperative value; P =.001) and 15.0 +/- 2.9 mm Hg (5.9%; P =.001) 1 week postoperatively; 12.8 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (20.2%; P =.0002) and 13.8 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (13.2%; P =.001) after 4 months; and 12.3 +/- 2.6 mm Hg (23.2%; P =.0001) and 12.7 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (21.2%; P =.001) after 1.0 to 2.7 years. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: After phacoemulsification with IOL implantation, IOP decreased significantly and remained lower than preoperatively in eyes with and without exfoliation. One day postoperatively, transient pressure peaks were more common in eyes with exfoliation. One eye without exfoliation developed glaucoma.     

Brimonidine 0.15% versus apraclonidine 0.5% for prevention of intraocular pressure elevation after anterior segment laser surgery

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of brimonidine 0.15% with those of apraclonidine 0.5% in preventing intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations after anterior segment laser surgery. SETTING: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Glaucoma Service, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. METHODS: This double-masked randomized trial 80 eyes of 80 patients who had laser peripheral iridotomy, argon laser trabeculoplasty, or neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy. Eyes received 1 drop of brimonidine 0.15% or apraclonidine 0.5% before laser surgery. Intraocular pressure, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured before laser surgery and at 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, and 1 week after laser surgery. RESULTS: Before laser treatment, 41 patients received brimonidine 0.15% and 39 received apraclonidine 0.5%. Thirteen (31.7%) patients in the brimonidine group and 11 (28.2%) in the apraclonidine group had postoperative IOP elevations of 5 mm Hg or more (P = .5). Four patients (9.8%) in the brimonidine group and 3 (7.7%) in the apraclonidine group had IOP increases of 10 mm Hg or more (P = .5). There were no statistically significant changes in mean heart rate or blood pressure in either group except a slight reduction in diastolic blood pressure at 1 hour in the brimonidine group (-4.7 +/- 9.2 mm Hg) compared with that in the apraclonidine group (-0.1 +/- 9.1 mm Hg) (P = .01). No clinically significant side effects were noted in either group. CONCLUSION: A single preoperative drop of brimonidine 0.15% had similar efficacy and safety as apraclonidine 0.5% in preventing IOP elevations immediately after anterior segment laser surgery.     

Apraclonidine and early postoperative intraocular hypertension after cataract extraction.

The efficacy of topical 1% apraclonidine in controlling early postoperative IOP rise after cataract extraction was evaluated. Topical 1% apraclonidine was applied to 20 patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior intraocular lens implantation. On another 20 patients, who acted as control group a placebo (artificial tears) was given. The IOP was measured before preoperative medication and postoperatively at 6, 12 and 24 h, using the Perkins hand-held applanation tonometer. In the control group, 9 patients (45%) developed intraocular hypertension and in the treated group only 2 (10%) showed hypertension, but with short duration and a moderate IOP rise. The difference in frequency of intraocular hypertension between the groups was statistically significant (p less than 0.02). The statistical analysis showed that the postoperative IOP of operated treated eyes was significantly smaller than the IOP of operated control eyes. Furthermore, the postoperative IOP and the initial IOP did not differ statistically. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of topical apraclonidine 1% in controlling the early and transient intraocular hypertension following cataract extraction.     

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.     

Intraocular pressure rise after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation: effect of prophylactic medication, wound closure, and surgeon's experience.

AIMS--A prospective clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of prophylactic medication, the technique of wound closure, and the surgeon's experience on the intraocular pressure rise after cataract extraction. METHODS--In 100 eyes, the intraocular pressure was measured before as well as 2-4, 5-7, and 22-24 hours after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation. Each of 25 patients received either 1% topical apraclonidine, 0.5% topical levobunolol, 500 mg oral acetazolamide, or placebo. Forty four eyes were operated with sclerocorneal sutureless tunnel and 56 eyes with corneoscleral incision and suture. Sixty three operations were performed by experienced surgeons (more than 300 intraocular operations) and 37 by inexperienced surgeons (less than 200 intraocular operations). RESULTS--The pressure increase from baseline to the maximum 5-7 hours after surgery did not differ significantly (p = 0.8499) for apraclonidine (9.5 mm Hg), levobunolol (7.2 mm Hg), acetazolamide (7.8 mm Hg), and placebo (8.6 mm Hg). The increase was significantly (p = 0.0095) lower in eyes with corneoscleral tunnel (5.5 mm Hg) than in eyes with corneoscleral suture (10.5 mm Hg) and significantly (p = 0.0156) lower for experienced (6.6 mm Hg) than for inexperienced surgeons (11.2 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS--The intraocular pressure rise after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation depends strongly on the technique of wound closure and the surgeon's experience. Compared with these two factors, the effect of prophylactic medication can be neglected.     

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.     

Intraocular pressure rise after primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination: randomized safety study with intraindividual comparison using an angulated and a nonangulated intraocular lens

PURPOSE: To assess the safety, in terms of the intraocular pressure (IOP), of cataract surgery with primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PPCCC) and a postoperative dose of a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination and evaluate the effect of intraocular lens (IOL) haptic angulation. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. METHODS: In this prospective randomized double-masked bilateral study, 88 eyes of 44 consecutive patients with age-related cataract were included in an intraindividual comparison study. All patients had standardized cataract surgery with PPCCC and IOL implantation in the capsular bag followed by a postoperative dose of a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an ACR6D SE IOL (Laboratoires Cornéal) in 1 eye and a Centerflex (C-flex) 570C IOL (Rayner Surgical GmbH) in the contralateral eye. The IOP was measured at baseline and postoperatively at 6 and 24 hours as well as 1 week. RESULTS: Intraindividual comparison showed statistically significantly higher IOP measurements in the C-flex 570C nonangulated IOL group than in the ACR6D SE angulated IOL group at 24 hours (P = .003) and 1 week (P = .043). The highest IOP spikes (34 mm Hg) were at 6 hours in 2 eyes with a C-flex 570C IOL. The ACR6D SE group had statistically significant changes in IOP between preoperative and all postoperative time points. In the C-flex 570C group, the only statistically significant change in IOP was between preoperatively and 6 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery with PPCCC was safe in terms of the postoperative IOP course. Haptic angulation slightly decreased the overall IOP rise and the incidence of IOP rises above 30 mm Hg.     

Comparative efficacy of acetazolamide and apraclonidine in the control of intraocular pressure following phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to compare the effects of systemically administered acetazolamide and topical apraclonidine 0.5% in the control of intraocular pressure (IOP) following phacoemulsification of senile cataracts. SETTING: The study was conducted on patients affected by cataract and followed at the Department of Ophthalmology. METHODS: Seventy-eight eyes in 78 patients were selected. Twenty-six eyes were randomly assigned to postoperative treatment with topical apraclonidine 0.5%, 26 received oral acetazolamide and the remaining 26 received no hypotensive treatment (control group). Statistical analyses were performed mainly by means of analyis of variance. RESULTS: IOPs measured 24 h after surgery were significantly (p = 0.01) lower in the apraclonidine group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our double-blind prospective study conducted on patients randomly assigned to treatment with apraclonidine or acetazolamide shows that the former drug is undoubtedly effective in the prevention of IOP increases following phacoemulsification. IOPs recorded in patients treated with this drug were lower than those observed in the acetazolamide and the control groups. Considering the lower risk of toxicity associated with topical administration, apraclonidine 0.5% seems to be preferable to oral acetazolamide in this postoperative setting.     

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.     

Effect of Healon5 and 4 other viscoelastic substances on intraocular pressure and endothelium after cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To compare the ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD) Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) with 4 other commonly used OVDs during phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in terms of influence on intraocular pressure (IOP) postoperatively and endothelial cells preoperatively and postoperatively. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany. METHODS: This clinical randomized prospective study, in which patients and observer were masked, comprised 81 eyes. Seventy-four eyes (mean patient age 71.2 years +/- 7.8 [SD]) completed all preoperative and 5 postoperative examinations. The OVDs used were OcuCoat and Celoftal (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2.0%), Viscoat (sodium hyaluronate 3.0%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0%), Healon GV (sodium hyaluronate 1.4%), and Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%). Intraocular pressure was measured by standard Goldmann applanation tonometry preoperatively and 4 to 6 and 24 hours and 7, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Endothelial cell counts were done preoperatively and 90 days postoperatively using a Pro/Koester WFSCM contact endothelial microscope. Exclusion criteria were IOP greater than 21 mm Hg at the preoperative examination, age younger than 40 years, significant corneal pathology, and a history or presence of uveitis or pseudoexfoliation syndrome. RESULTS: All groups had increased IOP 4 hours postoperatively. The Healon5 group had the highest mean pressure (24.9 mm Hg) followed by the Viscoat group (23.6 mm Hg). The mean IOP in the other OVD groups was less than 22.1 mm Hg. These differences were not significant. Twenty-four hours postoperatively and at all subsequent examinations, mean IOP was below 20 mm Hg. The Healon5 group had the lowest mean endothelial cell loss (6.2%), significantly lower than in the other groups (P < .02). CONCLUSION: With all 5 OVDs, endothelial cell loss was found, with the lowest in the Healon5 group, and IOP was increased 4 to 6 hours postoperatively. After 24 hours, no significant increases in IOP were noted.     

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.     

Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation after trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, using a superior clear-corneal incision, on the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control in patients who have undergone previous trabeculectomy. METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation (phaco group) at least 3 months after trabeculectomy were identified and matched to 28 patients who underwent trabeculectomy only (trabeculectomy-only group) with respect to age, gender, IOP, and duration of follow-up. The mean IOP was compared 1 and 2 years after phacoemulsification, and the surgical success rate in each group was determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: The mean IOP 1 year after cataract surgery was significantly higher ( = 0.025) in the phaco group (15.6 +/- 3.5 mm Hg) than in the trabeculectomy-only group (13.4 +/- 2.5 mm Hg), but at 2 years the difference was not statistically significant (15.3 +/- 3.1 mm Hg in the phaco group compared with 14.3 +/- 3.2 mm Hg in the trabeculectomy-only group; = 0.35). Two years after surgery, 5 of 28 patients in the phaco group and 1 of 28 patients in the trabeculectomy-only group had commenced or were using additional topical medication ( = 0.089). If the introduction of glaucoma medication was considered a "failure," then the IOP control was significantly better in the trabeculectomy-only group using two different criteria for surgical failure. CONCLUSION: Although phacoemulsification and IOL implantation through a superior clear-corneal incision have little effect on mean IOP in a group of patients who have undergone previous trabeculectomy, this procedure may jeopardize the long-term IOP control in individual patients.