Intraoperative prediction of intraocular pressure for the first postoperative day following glaucoma filtration surgery.

The goal of glaucoma filtering surgery is to achieve adequate control of intraocular pressure (IOP). This prospective study evaluates the authors' accuracy in predicting IOP for the first postoperative day (POD 1) through digital palpation of the globe and evaluation of the achieved leakage at the end of trabeculectomy. Fifty patients underwent trabeculectomy with or without the use of an antimetabolite. At the conclusion of the procedure, an IOP prediction for POD 1 was given by the surgeon. The recorded IOP readings on POD 1 were compared with this prediction. The results were evaluated by linear regression analysis. The IOP predictions were within +/- 3 mm Hg of the forecasted value for 31 patients (62%), within +/- 6 mm Hg for 44 patients (88%) and outside of +/- 6 mm Hg for 6 patients (12%). Short-term postoperative IOP control is reasonably predictable and may be adjusted for individual care.