Impact of Intraoperative Irrigation Fluid on Postoperative IOP Reduction After Cataract Surgery by Phacoemulsification
Purpose
To investigate the association between changes in intraocular pressure and intraoperative irrigation fluid following cataract surgery by phacoemulsification.
Methods
In this prospective study, nonglaucomatous subjects underwent cataract surgery by phacoemulsification. The differences between preoperative and 3-month postoperative intraocular were evaluated as a function of intraoperative irrigation fluid using univariate and multivariate linear mixed-effects regression models to determine the association between postoperative changes in intraocular pressure and volume of intraoperative irrigation fluid delivered to the eye during phacoemulsification. The multivariate linear mixed-effects regression model adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, axial length, spherical equivalent, and cataract grade. Standardized regression coefficients (β) were calculated from the univariate and multivariate linear mixed-effects regression models to assess the strength of the relationship.
Results
Sixty one eyes from 46 patients were analyzed. Prior to cataract surgery, average intraocular pressure was 14.85±3.25 mmHg. Postoperative intraocular pressure significantly decreased to 12.59±3.38 mmHg at 3 months (P<0.0001). Intraocular pressure changes at 3 months demonstrated significant association with intraoperative irrigation fluid in both univariate (P=0.05, β=-0.016) and multivariate (P<0.0001, β=-0.023) linear mixed-effects regression analyses.
Conclusion
The volume of intraoperative irrigation fluid delivered to the eye during phacoemulsification was negatively associated with postoperative changes in intraocular pressure, such that higher volume of intraoperative irrigation fluid resulted in lesser postoperative intraocular pressure reduction.