Intraocular pressure after small incision cataract surgery: temporal sclerocorneal versus clear corneal incision

PURPOSE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using a temporal sclerocorneal or clear corneal incision. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. METHODS: One hundred patients (100 eyes) with cataract having phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation were randomly assigned to receive a temporal sclerocorneal or clear corneal tunnel incision. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and 6 hours, 1, 2, and 3 days, and 5 months postoperatively. Statistical significance was determined by nonparametric group comparisons using 2-sample random Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: Six hours postoperatively, the median IOP increase was significantly higher in the sclerocorneal tunnel group (57%) than in the clear corneal incision group (18%) (P <.001). No significant between-group difference in IOP was found at 1, 2, or 3 days or 5 months. At 5 months, IOP was 0.6 mm Hg lower than preoperatively in the sclerocorneal tunnel group and 1.5 mm Hg lower in the clear corneal group. CONCLUSIONS: After phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation, the immediate postoperative IOP increase was higher in eyes having a sclerocorneal incision than in those having a clear corneal tunnel incision. These results could be important in eyes with decreased outflow facility or preexisting optic nerve damage.