Intraocular pressure decrease after phacoemulsification in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a common cause of secondary glaucoma.
• Cataract surgery is frequently performed in patients with PEX.
• The impact of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) in PEX patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) response following phacoemulsification cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation in patients diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study compared three groups: PEX patients (n=21), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) controls (n=23), and cataract-only controls (n=23).
• All patients underwent phacoemulsification with PC IOL implantation.
• Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored for up to 18 months postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Patients with PEX experienced a consistent reduction in IOP from baseline at all postoperative intervals.
• The IOP reduction in the PEX group was significantly greater than in both POAG and cataract control groups at 6 and 12 months.
• Specifically, at 6 months, PEX patients showed a greater IOP reduction (P=.002 vs cataract control) than controls.

Conclusions:

• Phacoemulsification cataract surgery with PC IOL implantation leads to a significant and sustained reduction in IOP for patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
• This surgical approach may be a viable strategy for managing elevated IOP in PEX patients with visually significant cataracts, provided there is no advanced optic nerve damage.
• The findings suggest that cataract surgery can be therapeutically beneficial for IOP management in this specific patient population.