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Abstract #8821 Published in IGR 5-1
Intraocular pressure changes and the implications on patient review after phacoemulsification
Thirumalai B; Baranyovits PRJournal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2003; 29: 504-507
PURPOSE: To determine the pattern of intraocular pressure (IOP) change postoperatively and its bearing on the timing of postoperative review. SETTING: Ophthalmology department of a district general hospital, Northamptonshire, UK. METHODS: One hundred eyes of 100 consecutive patients having uneventful phacoemulsification were included in this study. The IOP was measured preoperatively and 2 hours, 1 day, and 1 week postoperatively. The IOP readings were statistically analyzed using the Fisher exact probability test. RESULTS: From one week before surgery, there was a mean rise in IOP of 8.14 mmHg two hours after surgery, followed by a mean fall of 5.18 mmHg at 24 hours (next-day review). The mean fall in IOP at one week was 2.94 mmHg. Ten percent of patients had an IOP greater than or equal to 35 mmHg two hours postoperatively and required oral IOP-lowering agents. All patients had an IOP lower than 35 mmHg at the next-day review. At one day, 18.6% of patients had a higher IOP than at two hours; however, the mean IOP was 21.39 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS:The results show it is safe to review patients two hours after uneventful phacoemulsification and omit the next-day review. This enhances patient acceptance of true day-case cataract surgery as it eliminates the need for an inpatient stay and transport on the following day. It also improves utilization of hospital resources. A larger study will help confirm the conclusions of this study.
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Classification:
12.12.3 Phacoemulsification (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.12 Cataract extraction)
