TJ-CEO
2011 , Vol 6 , Num 4
Relation Between Lens Thickness and Intraocular Pressure Change After Phacoemulsification
1Karaelmas Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilm Dalı, Zonguldak, Yrd. Doç. Dr.2Karaelmas Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilm Dalı, Zonguldak, Asist. Dr.
3Karaelmas Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilm Dalı, Zonguldak, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To investigate relationship between preoperative lens thickness and postoperative intraocular pressure change after phacoemulsification surgery.
Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing phacoemulsification surgery are prospectively evaluated. Lens thickness was measured preoperatively with A-mode ultrasound and intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured preoperatively, postoperatively at 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month with Goldmann applanation tonometry. Preoperative lens thickness and postoperative IOP values were analyzed with Spearman rank correlation test. Preoperative and postoperative IOP values compared with Wilcoxon paired samples t-test. Significance of IOP changes occuring up to 6th month after surgery was tested using the Friedman test.
Results: Sixty-eight eyes of 64 patients underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery. The patients' age ranged between 50 to 85 years (mean: 67±9) and lens thickness measurements were in the range of 3.03- 4.80 mm (mean 4.09±0.44 mm). Mean preoperative IOP was 15.79±2.74 mmHg. IOP measurents postoperatively were 12.07±2.46 mmHg in the 1st week, 11.62±2.15 mmHg in the 1st month, 13.07±2.30 mmHg in the 3rd month, and 13.66±2.34 mmHg in the 6th month (p <0.01). The correlation between mean lens thickness and mean postoperative IOP change on the first week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month was found to be insignificant (r=- 0.087, r=-0.087, r=0.98,and r=0.157 respectively, p>0.05 for all ).
Conclusion: In cataractous eyes without glaucoma phacoemulsification cataract surgery induces a small but consistent decrease in IOP, however, the decrease in IOP was found to have no association with lens thickness. Keywords : Lens thickness, phacoemulsification, intraocular pressure, glaucoma