CHANGES OF IOP AFTER CLEAR CORNEAL PHACOEMULSIFICATION IN NORMAL PATIENTS

T. Zeyen and K. Mannes

Department of Ophthalmology, Middelheim Hospital, Belgium

Purpose:  To evaluate the effect of clear corneal phacoemulsification on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal patients.

Methods:  A prospective analysis of 26 patients who underwent clear corneal phacoemulsification was conducted with a follow up of 5 months.  We compared the mean of 2 IOP’s taken within 6 months before surgery with the IOP’s measured at 1, 2, 3, and 5 months postoperatively.

Results:  The mean IOP before surgery was 14.8 ± 2.5 mmHg.  The mean IOP’s at 1, 2, 3, and 5 months after surgery were respectively 12.9 ± 2.8 mmHg, 12.1 ± 2.6 mmHg, 11.5 ± 2.8 mmHg, and 11.6 ± 2.6 mmHg (p < 0.5 at each interval).

Conclusion:  Clear corneal phacoemulsification was associated with a mean IOP reduction of 3.2 mm Hg after 5 months.