Effect of surgical technique on the increase in intraocular pressure after cataract extraction.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

A prospective study was performed to determine the influence of surgical technique on the increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Three groups of 30 patients each underwent either extracapsular cataract extraction with sclerocorneal suture (ECCE), phacoemulsification with sclerocorneal suture (PS), or phacoemulsification with a sutureless scleral tunnel (PT).

RESULTS

Each group experienced a significant increase in IOP 5 to 7 hours after surgery: 20.2 +/- 7.9 mm Hg for ECCE, 11.2 +/- 8.3 mm Hg for PS, and 4.7 +/- 8.7 mm Hg for PT. The differences in the increases among the three groups were significant.

CONCLUSION

PT [corrected] produces the lowest postoperative increase in IOP and should be considered for patients with glaucomatous damage.