Intraocular pressure changes and the implications on patient review after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To determine the pattern of intraocular pressure (IOP) change postoperatively and its bearing on the timing of postoperative review. SETTING: Ophthalmology department of a district general hospital, Northamptonshire, England. METHODS: One hundred eyes of 100 consecutive patients having uneventful phacoemulsification were included in this study. The IOP was measured preoperatively and 2 hours, 1 day, and 1 week postoperatively. The IOP readings were statistically analyzed using the Fisher exact probability test. RESULTS: From 1 week before surgery, there was a mean rise in IOP of 8.14 mm Hg 2 hours after surgery followed by a mean fall of 5.18 mm Hg at 24 hours (next-day review). The mean fall in IOP at 1 week was 2.94 mm Hg. Ten percent of patients had an IOP greater than or equal to 35 mm Hg 2 hours postoperatively and required oral IOP-lowering agents. All patients had an IOP lower than 35 mm Hg at the next-day review. At 1 day, 18.6% of patients had a higher IOP than at 2 hours; however, the mean IOP was 21.39 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: The results show it is safe to review patients 2 hours after uneventful phacoemulsification and omit the next-day review. This enhances patient acceptance of true day-case cataract surgery as it eliminates the need for an inpatient stay and transport on the following day. It also improves utilization of hospital resources. A larger study will help confirm the conclusions of this study.     

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.     

抗青光眼药物对粘弹剂辅助白内障超声乳化手术后眼压的作用

目的:探讨抗青光眼药物在防治粘弹剂辅助白内障超声乳化手术后早期眼压升高中的作用。方法:150例150眼白内障患者行玻璃酸钠辅助超声乳化术,术程顺利无并发症。按术后抗青光眼药物将患者随机分为5组:10g/L派立明组,2g/L阿法根组,口服醋氮酰胺250mg组,5g/L噻马心安组及未用药组(空白对照组)。术前、术后6,12,24h及1wk测量眼压。结果:术前各组间眼压均值无明显差别。术后6,12h及24h用药组眼压较对照组低(P<0.01),术后6h各组眼压均升高,以对照组显著。各组术后12h眼压达峰值。此时眼压>21mmHg所占比例,抗青光眼药物组各组间比较无差异,对照组明显高于其它组。术后24h用药组眼压均降低,对照组仍保持高值。术后1wk,各组间无明显差异。结论:抗青光眼药物对玻璃酸钠辅助超声乳化手术后引起的眼压增高均有降低作用。     

A topical or oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to control ocular hypertension after cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of oral acetozolamide and topical 2% dorzolamide to prevent ocular hypertension after cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study comprised 62 consecutive patients who had extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Patients received either oral acetozolamide (Diazomide) 250 mg three times daily or topical dorzolamide 2% (Trusopt) three times daily, for three days. Intraocular pressures (IOP) were measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry preoperatively and 16, 40, 64 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: IOP in the dorzolamide group peaked at 16 hours and had returned to preoperative values by 40 hours. In the acetozolamide group mean IOP was significantly higher than preoperative values at 16, 40 and 64 hours (p<0.05). At all three postoperative measurement times, mean IOP was significantly higher in the acetozolamide group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Topical dorzolamide 2% offers better IOP control than oral acetozolamide to prevent ocular hypertension after cataract surgery.     

Effect of bimatoprost on intraocular pressure after cataract surgery

Background: An increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) frequently occurs after otherwise uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of bimatoprost 0.03% drops given preoperatively in preventing IOP rise following phacoemulsification cataract surgery.Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study, 91 eyes of 85 patients scheduled to have clear corneal phacoemulsification cataract surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups. One hour before surgery, 1 group (48 eyes) received 1 drop of bimatoprost 0.03%, and the other group (43 eyes) received 1 drop of a balanced saline solution (placebo). A masked observer measured IOP preoperatively, and 3 and 24 hours postoperatively. Anterior chamber cellular reaction was measured on the first day after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) was assessed.Results: The mean IOP changes from baseline were not statistically different between the 2 groups at 3 hours (p = 0.618). At 24 hours, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean IOP changes of the groups (p = 0.001). The incidence of IOP elevation greater than 5 or 10 mm Hg at 24 hours was significantly higher in the control group (9 of 43 eyes) than the bimatoprost group (3 of 48 eyes) (p = 0.039). Anterior chamber reaction was not increased by bimatoprost. Mean CCT change was not different between the groups at 24 hours (p = 0.615).Interpretation: When compared with placebo, prophylactic use of 1 drop of bimatoprost before phacoemulsification cataract surgery failed to produce a significantly different effect on IOP levels from placebo at 3 hours postoperatively, but it caused a significant IOP reduction at 24 hours.     

Effect of antiglaucoma agents on postoperative intraocular pressure after cataract surgery with Viscoat

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of brinzolamide 1%, brimonidine 0.2%, acetazolamide 250 mg, intracameral acetylcholine, and timolol 0.5% in preventing intraocular pressure (IOP) peaks during the early period after phacoemulsification in which sodium chondroitin sulfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3% (Viscoat) was used as the ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This prospective randomized study comprised 185 eyes of 185 patients with uncomplicated cataract scheduled for phacoemulsification using Viscoat as the OVD. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups: postoperative application of topical brinzolamide 1%, brimonidine 0.2%, oral acetazolamide 250 mg, intracameral acetylcholine, timolol 0.5%, or no ocular hypotensive agent (control group). The IOP was measured at baseline (preoperatively) as well as 6 hours, 20 to 24 hours, and 1 week after surgery. RESULTS: The mean preoperative IOP values were not significantly different between the groups. Six hours and 20 to 24 hours postoperatively, the mean IOP was significantly lower in all groups receiving an ocular hypotensive agent than in the control group (P<.01). Six hours after surgery, the mean IOP significantly increased in all groups but was higher in the control group. At 20 to 24 hours, the mean IOP decreased significantly in all ocular hypotensive agent groups but remained significantly high in the control group. One week after surgery, there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Brinzolamide, brimonidine, acetazolamide, intracameral acetylcholine, and timolol had similar effects in reducing IOP increases after phacoemulsification performed using Viscoat.     

Does the use of trypan blue during phacoemulsification affect the intraocular pressure?

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of trypan blue on intraocular pressure (IOP) after small-incision cataract surgery.Design: Prospective, randomized study.Participants: Fifteen patients (30 eyes) with bilateral, dense, age-related cataracts.Methods: Patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertension, exfoliation, pigment dispersion syndrome, history of uveitis, recent use of topical or systemic steroids, and previous ocular surgery were excluded. The patients were randomly assigned to receive trypan blue during cataract surgery for enhancing capsulorrhexis in 1 of their eyes, while in the other eye, trypan blue was not used. Cataract surgery was performed in an identical fashion in both eyes, with a sutureless posterior limbal incision, phacoemulsification, and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. The same viscoelastic (sodium hyaluronate) was used in all cases and was thoroughly aspirated at the end of the procedure. All patients received a single dose of 250 mg acetazolamide 8 hours after surgery. No other antiglaucomatous agent was used during surgery or postoperatively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured preoperatively and at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.Results: IOP values were similar in both groups at all 4 postoperative measurements. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative IOP values between the eyes in which trypan blue was used and the control eyes.Conclusions: The use of trypan blue during small-incision cataract surgery does not have any effect on IOP during the immediate and early postoperative period.     

白内障超声乳化人工晶状体植入术后高眼压危险因素分析

目的:探讨白内障超声乳化工晶状体植入术后高眼压的相关危险因素、发生的原因及防治。方法:对我院2006-01/2012-10完成的白内障超声乳化工晶状体植入术1258例1318眼临床资料进行回顾分析。结果:术后发生高眼压共54眼,发生率为4.10%。术后眼压升高的幅度为22～60mmHg,大多数患者出现高眼压的时间为术后2～24h。54眼中先天性白内障1眼,外伤性白内障2眼,合并糖尿病15眼,合并高血压病12眼,陈旧性色素膜炎2眼,玻璃体切割术后1眼,合并高度近视11眼,未合并全身疾病的白内障10眼。裂隙灯观察高眼压患者可见部分皮质残留以及黏弹剂残留或晶状体后囊膜破裂玻璃体溢入前房或严重的炎症反应。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,合并有糖尿病、高度近视、陈旧性色素膜炎、眼外伤等疾病的白内障患者更容易出现术后高眼压。     

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。     

Effect of topical brimonidine on intraocular pressure after small incision cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of brimonidine 0.2% on intraocular pressure (IOP) after small incision cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. METHODS: This prospective randomized study comprised 80 eyes of 40 patients scheduled for small incision cataract surgery in both eyes. In each patient, 1 eye was randomly assigned to receive 1 drop of brimonidine 0.2% or no treatment (control) immediately after surgery. The fellow eye received the other assigned treatment. All patients had standardized surgery by the same surgeon with sodium hyaluronate 1%, a temporal 3.5 mm sutureless posterior limbal incision, phacoemulsification, and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. The IOP was measured preoperatively as well as 6 and 20 to 24 hours and 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: Six hours after surgery, the mean increase in IOP was 4.7 mm Hg +/- 6.1 (SD) in the brimonidine group and 4.6 +/- 5.3 mm Hg in the control group. In each group, 17 eyes (43%) had an IOP increase of 5 mm Hg or more. Twenty to 24 hours after surgery, the mean increase in IOP was 1.5 +/- 4.2 mm Hg in the brimonidine group and 1.6 +/- 4.4 mm Hg in the control group. There were no statistically significant between-group differences at any measurement. CONCLUSIONS: In both groups, IOP significantly increased 6 hours and 20 to 24 hours after small incision cataract surgery. Brimonidine 0.2% failed to reduce the IOP increase observed after small incision cataract 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.     

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.     

First day review after uncomplicated phacoemulsification: is it necessary?

PURPOSE: To determine whether first day follow-up is necessary after routine uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: Data collected prospectively at day 1 postoperative review. RESULTS: In 510 consecutive cases, serious complications occurred in 8 (1.6%) (wound leak [4], corneal abrasion [2], iris prolapse [1], hyphema [1]). Intraocular pressure (IOP) >30 mmHg was found in 26 (5.1%) and was strongly associated with a diagnosis of pre-existing glaucoma or ocular hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 7.7). Symptoms of headache or ocular discomfort occurred in 40 (7.8%), mostly in association with raised IOP, and were also associated with pre-existing glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OR 4.7). Central corneal edema was found in 61 (12.0%). In the absence of corneal edema, IOP was >30 mmHg in only two cases (0.39%). CONCLUSIONS: Few sight-threatening complications were detected on the morning after an uncomplicated procedure. First day follow-up may be safely omitted if adequate patient counseling is undertaken and there is provision of adequate access to eye services. Review prior to discharge on the day of surgery would provide an opportunity to detect these few surgical complications and for counseling. A diagnosis of glaucoma or ocular hypertension is a risk factor for significantly raised next day IOP and these patients are more likely to experience postoperative discomfort. They may benefit from prophylactic treatment.     

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.     

Preventing intraocular pressure increase after phacoemulsification and the role of perioperative apraclonidine

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic topical apraclonidine 1% in preventing an intraocular pressure (IOP) rise in the early period after uneventful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: District general hospital, United Kingdom. METHODS: In this prospective masked randomized trial, 61 patients had elective, routine, corneal tunnel, sutureless phacoemulsification with in-the-bag foldable IOL implantation. A single surgeon operated on all the patients. Patients were randomized to receive topical apraclonidine 1% eyedrops (n = 31) or artificial tears (control group, n = 30) 1 hour preoperatively and at the end of the surgery. An observer masked to the perioperative drops used measured the IOP preoperatively and 3 to 6 hours and 16 to 24 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the change in IOP between the baseline and the 2 postoperative intervals. The IOP changes within and between the groups were analyzed using the t test and chi-square test. RESULTS: The changes between the postoperative and preoperative IOPs in the study groups were statistically significant (apraclonidine, P = 0.018 and P = 0.007, respectively; artificial tears, P = 0.028 and P = 0.023, respectively; paired t test). There was no significant difference in the postoperative IOP between the apraclonidine and control groups 3 to 6 hours and 16 to 24 hours postoperatively (P = 0.717 and P = 0.497, respectively; independent t test). The mean difference was 0.2 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.4 to 3.1) in the apraclonidine group and 2.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -2.5 to 7.0) in the control group. In each group, a few patients had an IOP greater than 30 mm Hg in the first 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic topical perioperative apraclonidine 1% did not cause a significant reduction in the postoperative IOP when compared with a control group.     

Comparing the effects of travoprost and brinzolamide on intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of travoprost and brinzolamide within the first 24 h after phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-masked, controlled study comprised 90 eyes of 90 consecutive patients with senile cataract who had uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. Eyes in the first group received travoprost 0.0015%, second group received brinzolamide 1%. Eyes in the third group received balanced salt solution and were used as control. One drop was instilled immediately after surgery. IOP was measured 24 h preoperatively, 6 and 24 h postoperatively. Analysis of variance, Student's-t and chi2-tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Preoperatively IOP was not significantly different among the three groups (P = 0.653). At 6 and 24 h postoperatively IOP was lower in both travoprost and brinzolamide group when compared to control group (P = 0.018 and 0.015 at 6 h, P = 0.010 and 0.007 at 24 h between travoprost and brinzolamide group was not significant (P = 0.744 at 6 h and P = 0.672 at 24 h). CONCLUSION: Both travoprost and brinzolamide significantly lowered IOP after small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery within the first 24 h without any side effect.     

Intraocular pressure rise after small incision cataract surgery: a randomised intraindividual comparison of two dispersive viscoelastic agents

AIM: To evaluate the effects of the dispersive viscoelastic agents Ocucoat (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2%) and Viscoat (sodium chondroitin sulphate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3%) on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) after bilateral small incision cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective, randomised study comprised 80 eyes of 40 consecutive patients with age related cataract in both eyes scheduled for bilateral small incision cataract surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to receive Ocucoat or Viscoat during cataract surgery of the first eye. The second eye was operated later and received the other viscoelastic agent. Cataract surgery was performed with a temporal 3.2 mm sutureless posterior limbal incision, phacoemulsification, and implantation of a foldable silicone intraocular lens. The IOP was measured preoperatively as well as 6 hours, 20-24 hours, and 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: At 6 hours after surgery the mean IOP increased by 4.6 (SD 5.1) mm Hg in the Ocucoat group (p<0.001) and by 8.6 (8.1) mm Hg in the Viscoat group (p<0.001). The increase was significantly higher in the Viscoat group than in the Ocucoat group (p=0.004). Intraocular pressure spikes of 30 mm Hg or more occurred in two eyes in the Ocucoat and in nine eyes in the Viscoat group (p=0.023); 20-24 hours and 1 week postoperatively the mean IOP was not statistically different. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Viscoat causes a significantly higher IOP increase and significantly more IOP spikes than Ocucoat in the early period after small incision cataract surgery.     

Intraindividual comparison of the effects of a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination and latanoprost on intraocular pressure after small incision cataract surgery

To compare the effect of a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination with that of latanoprost on intraocular pressure (IOP) after small incision cataract surgery.Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.This prospective randomized study comprised 60 eyes of 30 patients scheduled for small incision cataract surgery in both eyes. The patients were randomly assigned to receive 1 drop of a fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination or latanoprost immediately after cataract surgery in the first eye. The second eye received the other antiglaucomatous agent. Cataract surgery was performed under sodium hyaluronate 1% with a temporal 3.5 mm sutureless posterior limbal incision, phacoemulsification, and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. The IOP was measured preoperatively as well as 6 and 20 to 24 hours and 1 week postoperatively.Six hours after surgery, the mean IOP decreased by -0.8 mm Hg +/- 3.2 (SD) (P =.184) in the dorzolamide-timolol group and increased by 3.6 mm Hg +/- 3.5 (P <.001) in the latanoprost group. Twenty to 24 hours after surgery, the mean IOP decreased by -2.8 +/- 2.4 mm Hg (P <.001) in the dorzolamide-timolol group and increased by 0.6 +/- 3.5 mm Hg (P =.353) in the latanoprost group. The differences between groups were significant at 6 hours (P <.001) and 20 to 24 hours (P <.001).The fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination was more effective than latanoprost in reducing IOP after small incision cataract surgery. Only the fixed dorzolamide-timolol combination prevented a postoperative IOP increase and occasional IOP spikes of 30 mm Hg or higher.     

Daily tonometric curves after cataract surgery

AIM: To evaluate daily tonometric curves after cataract surgery in patients with cataract only and in patients with cataract and glaucoma. METHODS: 108 patients scheduled for cataract surgery were randomly allocated to two groups: 57 patients with cataract only (normal) and 51 with cataract and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). All patients underwent extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) (manual technique with long wound), phacoemulsification (automated technique with short wound), or nucleus capture (manual technique with short wound). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by Goldmann tonometry in all patients every 2 hours for 12 hours before the operation and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: 79 patients completed the 6 month examination. ECCE resulted in greater reductions in IOP than the other procedures (ECCE: 27% and 36% in normal patients and those with POAG, respectively; nucleus capture: 20% and 31%, respectively; phacoemulsification: 19% and 22%, respectively). The fluctuations in IOP before and after surgery were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery in normal patients reduces IOP but does not eliminate fluctuations which are directly proportional to the IOP value and result partly from circadian rhythms. This important finding might influence our approach to treatment of patients with glaucoma.     

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.