Intraocular pressure after small incision cataract surgery: temporal sclerocorneal versus clear corneal incision.
OBJECTIVE
To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using a temporal sclerocorneal or clear corneal incision.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.


METHODS
One hundred patients (100 eyes) with cataract having phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation were randomly assigned to receive a temporal sclerocorneal or clear corneal tunnel incision. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and 6 hours, 1, 2, and 3 days, and 5 months postoperatively. Statistical significance was determined by nonparametric group comparisons using 2-sample random Wilcoxon tests.


RESULTS
Six hours postoperatively, the median IOP increase was significantly higher in the sclerocorneal tunnel group (57%) than in the clear corneal incision group (18%) (P <.001). No significant between-group difference in IOP was found at 1, 2, or 3 days or 5 months. At 5 months, IOP was 0.6 mm Hg lower than preoperatively in the sclerocorneal tunnel group and 1.5 mm Hg lower in the clear corneal group.


CONCLUSIONS
After phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation, the immediate postoperative IOP increase was higher in eyes having a sclerocorneal incision than in those having a clear corneal tunnel incision. These results could be important in eyes with decreased outflow facility or preexisting optic nerve damage.
Schwenn
O
O
Department of Ophthalmology Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. Schwenn@augen.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Dick
H B
HB
Krummenauer
F
F
Krist
R
R
Pfeiffer
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery*