Effects of cataract surgery on short-term and long-term intraocular pressure fluctuations in non-glaucomatous and medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma patients

摘要

Introduction. It has been recognized that cataract surgery leads to a reduction of intraocular pressure, both in healthy and in glaucoma patients. This prospective interventional clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of cataract surgery on intraocular pressure and its short- and long-term fluctuations in medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma patients and non-glaucomatous patients. Material and Methods. Two groups of 31 patients (31 eyes) were studied. The observed group included patients with glaucoma and cataract, and the control group included patients with senile cataract only. The intraocular pressure was measured three times daily pre- and at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Results. In both groups, a significant postoperative reduction in both mean and maximum intraocular pressure. Six months after surgery, in the observed group the average and maximum intraocular pressure reduction levels were -2.73 ± 1.91 mmHg and -3.16 ± 2.19 mmHg, and -2.26 ± 1.71 mmHg and -2.53 ± 1.70 mmHg in the control group. In the observed group, at 3 and 6 months after surgery, a significant reduction in short-term fluctuations was observed. Six months after surgery, short-term fluctuations decreased by -1.04 ± 2.20 mmHg compared to preoperative. Postoperatively, in the observed group, long-term fluctuations of average and maximum intraocular pressure were 2.69 ± 2.15 mmHg and 2.88 ± 2.22 mmHg, respectively, and in the controls they were 2.02 ± 1.28 mmHg and 2.42 ± 1.47 mmHg, showing no significant differences between groups. Conclusion. In patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, cataract surgery results in a statistically significant reduction in both average and maximum intraocular pressure as well as of short-term fluctuations.