Effect of Phacoemulsification Time on IOP Reduction After Cataract Surgery
Purpose
To determine the independent predictors of long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after cataract surgery with phacoemulsification.
Methods
All uncomplicated cataract surgeries completed within a 2 year period from 2006-2008 at the Baltimore VA Medical Center were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, biometric, and intraoperative variables including phaco parameters were recorded. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between these variables and IOP reduction, which was the outcome variable.
Results
Analysis was performed on 157 eyes of 157 patients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification during the study period. 115 eyes of 115 patients who were not on ocular hypotensive medications were analyzed separately. The mean post-operative IOP reduction through 12, 24, and 36 months was -1.7 ± 3.1, -1.6 ± 3.8 and -1.5 ± 2.6, respectively. Preoperative IOP (P < 0.001), relative lens position (P < 0.05), and phaco time (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with greater postoperative decrease in IOP using univariate analysis. Using multivariate analysis, higher preoperative IOP (P < 0.001) and longer phaco time (P = 0.038) were associated with greater postoperative IOP reduction.
Conclusion
Higher preoperative IOP and greater phaco time are associated greater postoperative IOP reduction. Our findings suggest that phaco time may be a potential predictor of long term IOP lowering after uncomplicated cataract surgery.