Intraocular Pressure Spikes Following Cataract Extraction: Hydrophobic vs Hydrophilic Acrylic Lenses

To investigate the intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after cataract extraction (CE) with an acrylic hydrophobic EyeCee One versus a hydrophilic Akreos MI60 intraocular lens (IOL) implant.

All patients who underwent CE with acrylic EyeCee One IOL implant and Akreos MI60 IOL implants were included. Parameters such as age, sex, history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT), IOP, axial length (AXL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and type of IOL implant were measured.

A total of 193 eyes of 193 patients were included. Of them, 115 eyes underwent CE with EyeCee One IOL, while 78 eyes underwent CE with Akreos MI60 IOL. Mean age (± SD) was 76.1 (± 9.4). A preoperative diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) was found in 10.9% and 3.6%, respectively. Mean pre-operative IOP was 16.8 ± 4.1. Mean IOP reduction at 2 months follow-up after CE was 2.8 ± 3.7 mmHg in the Akreos group and 0.3 (± 4.3) in the Eye Cee One group (<0.001). Five patients who underwent EyeCee One IOL implant had IOP rise ≥ 10 mmHg at 2 months follow-up, whereas none of the patients in the Akreos MI60 group had IOP spikes. Age and type of IOL implant were associated with greater IOP reduction in both univariable and multivariable analyses.

CE with acrylic hydrophobic EyeCee One IOL implant was associated with more IOP spikes compared to the acrylic hydrophilic Akreos MI60 IOL implant. Further studies are warranted to clarify the association between IOP and IOL implants.