Effect of Surgical Technique on the Increase in Intraocular Pressure After Cataract Extraction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A prospective study was performed to determine the influence of surgical technique on the increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three groups of 30 patients each underwent either extracapsular cataract extraction with sclerocorneal suture (ECCE), phacoemulsification with sclerocorneal suture (PS), or phacoemulsification with a sutureless scleral tunnel (PT). RESULTS: Each group experienced a significant increase in IOP 5 to 7 hours after surgery: 20.2 +/- 7.9 mm Hg for ECCE, 11.2 +/- 8.3 mm Hg for PS, and 4.7 +/- 8.7 mm Hg for PT. The differences in the increases among the three groups were significant. CONCLUSION: PT [corrected] produces the lowest postoperative increase in IOP and should be considered for patients with glaucomatous damage.