title: Early changes in intraocular pressure following phacoemulsification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate early postoperative changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) following phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 129 eyes with open angles and normal or high IOP undergoing phacoemulsification and IOL implantation for senile cataracts. The patients were divided into 3 groups (Gs) based on preoperative IOP: ≤15 mmHg (G1, n=76); from 16 to 20 mmHg (G2, n=43) and; from 21 to 30 mmHg (G3, n=10). IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry one day before surgery, and 1 and 6 weeks postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IOP was decreased postoperatively in all study groups 1 and 6 weeks after surgery as follows: 2.8±1.5 and 1.8±1.7 mmHg respectively in G1 (P<0.001); 4.2±1.9 and 4.3±2.9 mmHg respectively in G2 (P<0.001), and 8.3±4.3 and 9.3±4.1 mmHg respectively in G3 (P<0.001). At the end of the sixth postoperative week, the percentage of IOP change for G1, G2 and G3 was 13.5%±12.7, 24.5%±11.7 and 38.3%±16.2, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IOP significantly decreased after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in normal subjects with open angles and those with ocular hypertension. IOP reduction was greater in eyes with higher preoperative IOP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zamani
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feghhi
authors.forename: Afsaneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azarkish
keywords: Intraocular Pressure; Phacoemulsification