Positional Intraocular Pressure between Phakic and Pseudophakic Eyes after Cataract Surgery in a Single Eye

PURPOSE: In the present study, the dependence of intraocular pressure (IOP) on body position was compared between pseudophakic and phakic eyes after cataract surgery performed at least 3 months prior. METHODS: IOP was measured in 214 patients over 40 years of age who received cataract surgery at least 3 months prior. The present study included 104 patients who did not have any other ocular disease which could influence visual acuity or IOP. The IOP was measured in 4 different positions, sitting, supine, right decubitus, and left decubitus by a single skilled researcher using Icare tonometer. In addition, IOP was compared between the phakic and pseudophakic eyes, specifically, the dependent eye in the decubitus position. RESULTS: The comparison between the phakic and pseudophakic eyes in patients after cataract surgery in a single eye showed IOP was not different between the sitting and supine positions; however, in the decubitus position, IOP in the dependent eye was significantly higher than the non-dependent eye (p = 0.001). Additionally, regardless of lens status, IOP was significantly higher in the dependent eye than non-dependent eye. CONCLUSIONS: Both body position and lens status can affect IOP. After cataract surgery, regardless of lens status, IOP was higher in the dependent eye than non-dependent eye of patients in the decubitus position.

Positional Change of Intraocular Pressure and Its Relationship to Ocular Pulse Amplitude

PURPOSE: To investigate the postural change of intraocular pressure (IOP) from sitting to supine position and determine the relationship to other ocular parameters including ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in glaucoma suspect and open angle glaucoma patients. METHODS: The present study included 46 eyes of 46 patients. First, we measured IOP and OPA using Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), Pascal dynamic contour tonometer and TonoPen(R). Using TonoPen(R), the IOP was measured immediately after the subjects were placed in a supine position and 10 minutes and 30 minutes thereafter. We also investigated the correlation between positional change of IOP and axial length (AL), refractive error (RE), and OPA. RESULTS: IOPs of patients in a sitting position measured with GAT and TonoPen(R) were 15.3 +/- 3.3 mm Hg and 16.6 +/- 2.9 mm Hg, respectively, and OPA was 2.57 +/- 0.89 mm Hg. IOPs measured with TonoPen(R) were 17.6 +/- 2.9 mm Hg immediately after position change, 18.2 +/- 3.7 mm Hg after 10 minutes and 17.5 +/- 2.7 mm Hg after 30 minutes. Each IOP change was statistically significant and the largest change was after 10 minutes. Changes of IOP after 10 minutes were positively correlated with OPA (R = 0.340) and RE (R = 0.330) and negatively correlated with AL (R = -0.410). CONCLUSIONS: When placed in a supine position, the IOP of patients increased and then decreased over time. Positional IOP change was influenced by AL and OPA and variable hemodynamic factors and apparently influenced OPA and ocular perfusion pressure.