Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) response to phacoemulsification with corneal tunnel in normal and glaucoma patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed preoperative and postoperative IOP and number of glaucoma medications in consecutive eyes that underwent phacoemulsification and corneal tunnel, with a follow-up of more than 12 months. Results: 104 normal eyes and 25 eyes with medically controlled glaucoma (POAG and PXF glaucoma) with a follow-up of 12 - 36 months participated in the study. In the normal eye group, the IOP significantly decreased from a mean of 13.6 mmHg preoperatively to a mean of 11.7 mmHg at the last follow-up visit (p < 0.05). The mean IOP of the glaucoma group did not change after surgery (14.0 mmHg before and after surgery, p ≷ 0.05). The number of glaucoma medications significantly decreased following surgery, from a mean of 1.4 preoperatively to a mean of 0.9 at the last follow-up visit (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the decrease in IOP and the preoperative IOP (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between the decrease in IOP and the duration of follow-up. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification with corneal tunnel is associated with a significant IOP decrease in normal eyes. Glaucoma eyes require fewer medications for IOP control following surgery.
Keywords: 444 intraocular pressure • 353 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • 338 cataract