Vitreous-lens interface changes after cataract surgery using active fluidics and active sentry with high and low infusion pressure settings.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the infusion pressure used during phacoemulsification may have a detrimental effect on the anterior hyaloid membrane barrier (AHMB) in a pressure fluctuation-free environment using diagnostic spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) postoperatively.

SETTING

Tandil Eye Clinic, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Centro Oftalmológico Dr. Charles, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, multicenter, experimental, and double-masked study.

METHODS

Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed in all patients with the Centurion Vision System equipment with active fluidics and active sentry. Patients were randomly assigned to configuration 1 or 2. Configuration 1 had intraocular pressure (IOP) 30 mm Hg and configuration 2 IOP 80 mm Hg. Inclusion criteria were axial length >22 mm and <25 mm, age older than 50 and younger than 70 years, and complete adhesion of AHMB.

RESULTS

80 eyes of 80 patients were included. Berger space was identified in 17 cases (42.5%) of group 2 and 3 cases (7.5%) of group 1 postoperatively using SD-OCT. A statistically significant relationship was established using Fisher exact test ( P = .0003). Postoperatively, we observed posterior vitreous detachment changes in only 1 patient (1.25%) during the 3 months of follow-up ( P = .5). According to the Wong-Baker FACES Scale, the patient's subjective perception was better for the low infusion pressure group ( P = .0001, Fisher exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

Phacoemulsification with high infusion pressure can change the vitreous-lens interface. Positive Berger space after phacoemulsification is a biomarker of this change and can occur in eyes without risk factors. Incidence is directly related to the infusion pressure used.