title: Intraocular pressure changes and the implications on patient review after phacoemulsification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the pattern of intraocular pressure (IOP) change postoperatively and its bearing on the timing of postoperative review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ophthalmology department of a district general hospital, Northamptonshire, England.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eyes of 100 consecutive patients having uneventful phacoemulsification were included in this study. The IOP was measured preoperatively and 2 hours, 1 day, and 1 week postoperatively. The IOP readings were statistically analyzed using the Fisher exact probability test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1 week before surgery, there was a mean rise in IOP of 8.14 mm Hg 2 hours after surgery followed by a mean fall of 5.18 mm Hg at 24 hours (next-day review). The mean fall in IOP at 1 week was 2.94 mm Hg. Ten percent of patients had an IOP greater than or equal to 35 mm Hg 2 hours postoperatively and required oral IOP-lowering agents. All patients had an IOP lower than 35 mm Hg at the next-day review. At 1 day, 18.6% of patients had a higher IOP than at 2 hours; however, the mean IOP was 21.39 mm Hg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show it is safe to review patients 2 hours after uneventful phacoemulsification and omit the next-day review. This enhances patient acceptance of true day-case cataract surgery as it eliminates the need for an inpatient stay and transport on the following day. It also improves utilization of hospital resources. A larger study will help confirm the conclusions of this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kettering General Hospital, England, Northamptonshire, UK. balandy@tesco.net
authors.forename: Balaji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thirumalai
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Baranyovits
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D010808:Physical Examination; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers