Modern cataract surgery may have long-term benefits for people with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, according to a new study.
Researchers in Arkansas, Washington and Utah reviewed the medical charts of 266 non-glaucoma patients who underwent phacoemulsification (or “phaco”) cataract surgery to evaluate both short-term and long-term changes in IOP after cataract removal with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
Elevated IOP is a risk factor for glaucoma. Lowering IOP may reduce a person’s risk of developing the disease.
All cataract extractions were performed using a technique called “temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification,” in which a small incision is created in the peripheral cornea and an ultrasonic probe is inserted through the opening. This probe breaks the cataract into small pieces so it can be removed more easily.
IOP measurements were taken with a Zeiss Humphrey IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditech), a non-contact automated device, prior to surgery and 1 day, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery.
The researcher found that phaco cataract surgery produced both short-term and long-term reductions of IOP, compared with pre-operative measurements. Mean reduction of IOP was:
- 8.2 percent at 3 months
- 4.6 percent at 6 months
- 6.7 percent at 1 year
- 7.8 percent at 2 years
The authors of the study concluded that temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification cataract surgery results in a decrease in intraocular pressure that persists for at least two years following surgery.
SOURCE: Intraocular pressure change after temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal eyes. Acta Ophthalmologica. February 2010.
Tags: glaucoma, intraocular pressure, IOP, phacoemulsification