Relationship Between Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure Changes After Phacoemulsification with Clear Corneal Incision

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To study the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) response to phacoemulsification with clear corneal sutureless incision. Methods: In this prospective study, 100 eyes underwent measurements of CCT and IOP one week before surgery and the measurements were repeated at 1^st and 6^th postoperative months. CCT was measured with an ultrasonic pachymeter, and IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry. Results: The mean CCT was 551.17±31.84µm preoperatively and increased to 561.48±34.77µm and 560.85±34.15µm at 1^st and 6^th postoperative months respectively (p<0.001 for both comparisons). The mean IOP was 16.8 ±2.5mmHg preoperatively and the mean IOP decreased to 14.75±2.1mmHg one month after the surgery (p<0.001). At the 6^th postoperative month, mean IOP decreased further to 14.2±1.9mmHg (p<0.001). The mean CCT increase was 1.81% and 1.78%, while the mean IOP decrease was 12.2% and 15.5% (1^st and 6^th months respectively). There was no statistically significant correlation between CCT increase and IOP decrease. Conclusions: IOP changes after clear corneal phacoemulsification were not related to the changes in CCT and there was no correlation between IOP and CCT changes in any time point.

Keywords: intraocular pressure • cornea: clinical science • cataract