Intraocular pressure after cataract surgery with Healon.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Biomaterials in Medicine

Background:

• Cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation is a common procedure.
• Sodium hyaluronate (Healon) is frequently used during such surgeries.
• Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a potential post-operative complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of Healon on post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP).
• To compare IOP outcomes between Healon retention and Healon irrigation groups.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 75 patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation.
• Sodium hyaluronate (Healon) was used in all cases.
• Patients were divided into two groups: Healon left in the anterior chamber (n=40) and Healon irrigated out (n=35).

Main Results:

• A significantly higher percentage of patients (35%) experienced an IOP increase ≥ 20 mm Hg in the Healon retention group within 10 hours post-surgery.
• Only 11% of patients in the Healon irrigation group showed a similar IOP increase.
• At 20 hours post-surgery, the average IOP was markedly lower in the irrigated group (15.6 mm Hg) compared to the non-irrigated group (23.8 mm Hg).

Conclusions:

• Leaving Healon in the anterior chamber after cataract surgery is associated with a higher incidence of post-operative IOP elevation.
• Irrigating Healon from the anterior chamber appears to be a safer approach, mitigating the risk of significant IOP spikes.
• This finding suggests a modification in surgical technique to improve patient outcomes and reduce complications.