Deferral of first review after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery until 2 weeks: randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the safety of deferring the ophthalmic review after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery until 2 weeks after the procedure.


METHODS
Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland.


METHODS
After uneventful cataract surgery, 233 patients were randomized to have ophthalmic review 2 hours after the procedure and 2 weeks postoperatively (Group 1) or to forego any ophthalmic review before the 2-week postoperative visit in the outpatient department (Group 2).


RESULTS
Of the 115 patients randomized to Group 1, 25 (21.7%) had intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes of 30 mm Hg or greater and 2 (1.7%) had a corneal abrasion in the immediate postoperative period. Group 1 and Group 2 were statistically similar in terms of problems encountered in the first 2 postoperative weeks and anterior segment findings and visual acuity at the 2-week postoperative visit.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this randomized controlled study indicate that the first ophthalmic review after uneventful cataract surgery can be safely deferred until 2 weeks postoperatively in patients in whom a transient IOP spike would not be deemed clinically deleterious. Such a policy will enhance the efficiency of day-surgery units.
Saeed
Ayman
A
Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland. aymansaeed2003@yahoo.com
Guerin
Mark
M
Khan
Irfan
I
Keane
Pearse
P
Stack
Jim
J
Hayes
Patrick
P
Tormey
Peter
P
Mullhern
Mark
M
Beatty
Stephen
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013997:Time Factors