Real-time intraocular pressure measurement in standard and microcoaxial phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) in the vitreous cavity during various stages of cataract surgery.


METHODS
University Eye Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.


METHODS
In consecutive eyes having combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, and pars plana vitrectomy, IOP was monitored in real time through a 25-gauge pars plana cannula connected to an external pressure transducer. Surgery was performed by standard clear corneal phacoemulsification with a 2.5 mm incision and a Mega-Tip (1.26 mm aperture) (Group 1) or by microcoaxial phacoemulsification with a CMP-Tip (0.80 mm aperture) (Group 2).


RESULTS
The 2 groups had 5 eyes each. The mean IOP in Group 1 and in Group 2, respectively, was 15.9 mm Hg +/- 9.5 (SD) and 17.0 +/- 13.5 mm Hg preoperatively (P = .442), 40.1 +/- 12.7 mm Hg and 36.5 +/- 17.2 mm Hg during lens removal (P<.001), 17.6 +/- 14.2 mm Hg and 22.6 +/- 8.6 mm Hg during irrigation/aspiration (P<.001), 13.3 +/- 13.2 mm Hg and 16.3 +/- 13.1 mm Hg during IOL implantation (P = .005), and 22.9 +/- 7.0 mm Hg and 21.5 +/- 10.0 mm Hg after IOL implantation through the end of surgery (P = .329).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the IOP levels were significantly lower than those in previous studies, both phacoemulsification techniques had safe IOP profiles during various steps of surgery. Real-time IOP monitoring may prevent the surgeon from inducing excessive IOP elevation during intraocular manipulation.


BACKGROUND
No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Kreutzer
Thomas C
TC
University Eye Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Al Saeidi
Rashid
R
Kampik
Anselm
A
Grueterich
Martin
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003199:Computer Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012599:Sclerostomy; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014821:Vitrectomy