Behavior of intraocular pressure following different methods of cataract extraction

ABSTRACT

In this prospective study of 100 eyes of 97 consecutive patients, we attempted to detect differences in the course of intraocular pressure [IOP] after two main types of non-enzymatic cataract extraction intracapsular extraction without alphachymotrypsin [30 eyes], and planned extracapsular extraction [70 eyes] with insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens without sodium hyaluronate [21 eyes]. IOP was measured with a non-contact applanation tonometer preoperatively and at specified intervals up to 3 months after surgery. No significant difference in IOP could be detected according to the types of cataract surgery. Transient ocular hypertension occurring within the first few postoperative days was seen in 59% of all eyes; there was no significant association with any parameter of the surgery. In contrast, a cause could often be found for the ocular hypotension that occurred in 11% of eyes in the first seven postoperative days. Late postoperative hypotension was recorded after the seventh postoperative day in 75% of all cases and persisted for an a verage of 4 weeks, a cause for this was rarely found. In 22% of all cases, IOP remained within normal limits [10 to 20 mmHg] throughout the postoperative period