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Published on: January 26, 2018
Daily tonometric curves after cataract surgery
S Saccà1, A Marletta, A Pascotto
1Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, Ophthalmology R, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy. sacca@smartino.ge.it
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|January 3, 2001
Summary
Cataract surgery lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with and without glaucoma. Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) showed the greatest IOP reduction, though daily IOP fluctuations persist post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Cataract surgery is common, but its effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with co-existing glaucoma requires further investigation.
- Understanding post-operative IOP dynamics is crucial for managing glaucoma patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare daily tonometric curves after cataract surgery in patients with cataract only versus those with both cataract and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
- To evaluate the impact of different cataract surgery techniques on IOP reduction and fluctuation.
Main Methods:
- 108 patients were randomized into two groups: cataract only (n=57) and cataract with POAG (n=51).
- Surgical procedures included extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), phacoemulsification, or nucleus capture.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured via Goldmann tonometry every 2 hours for 12 hours pre-operatively and at 1 and 6 months post-operatively.
Main Results:
- Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) yielded the most significant IOP reductions (27-36%) compared to nucleus capture (20-31%) and phacoemulsification (19-22%).
- Post-operative IOP fluctuations were not statistically significant, but remained present and were proportional to IOP levels.
Conclusions:
- Cataract surgery effectively reduces IOP in patients with and without glaucoma.
- Despite IOP reduction, daily fluctuations persist post-surgery, influenced by circadian rhythms, which may impact glaucoma management strategies.
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