Hypotensive effect of
acetylcholine in early postoperative hypertony following phacoemulcification
Kandarakis A., Bartsi E., Vrionis G., Voutsinas P., Tomais G.,
Kontogiorgi L. and Politis A.
Purpose: To assess the efficacy of acetylcholine
(Ach) in the early postoperative hypertony after a successful
phacoemulcification.
Methods: Thirty normal eyes of thirty patients with cataract and
intraocular pressure (IOP)<21mmHg, participated in a prospective study.
Following surgery all patients were divided in two groups (A and B) of 15 eyes
each. Then 0.5ml of Ach or 0.5ml of BSS was injected in anterior chamber of
patients of group A and B respectively. IOP was measured at
6th and 18th hours postoperatively.
Results: In-group A the mean preoperative IOP was
14.43(± 3.28) mmHg and the mean postoperative IOP at 6th and 18th hour was
17.53(± 4.02) and 13.26(±3.04) mmHg respectively. In-group B the mean
preoperative IOP was 13.96(± 3.48) mmHg and the mean postoperative IOP at 6th
and 18th hour was 24.86(± 7.96) and 15.23(± 6.3) mmHg respectively. There is a
statistically significant difference between the two groups, concerning the 6th
postoperative hour's mean IOP (p=0.0045). At the same postoperative hour 13.3%
of group A and 73.3% of group B had IOP>21mmHg (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Achetylcholine reduces significantly IOP elevation of the
first 6 postoperative hours.