Influence of Aspiration Time on Postoperative Changes in IOP After Cataract Surgery by Phacoemulsification
Purpose
To investigate the association between changes in intraocular pressure and aspiration time 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 aspiration time using univariate and multivariate linear mixed-effects regression models to determine the association between postoperative changes in intraocular pressure and the duration for which the aspiration pump is activated 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 aspiration time in the univariate linear mixed-effects regression analysis (P<0.05, β=-0.004), but only showed borderline significant association in the multivariate linear mixed-effects regression analysis (P=0.10, β=-0.004).
Conclusion
There is a negative association between the duration for which the aspiration pump is activated during phacoemulsification and postoperative changes in intraocular pressure, such that greater aspiration time resulted in lesser postoperative intraocular pressure reduction.