Early intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth changes after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in nonglaucomatous eyes:

Purpose

To evaluate the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) after phacoemulsification according to axial length (AL).

Setting

Department of Ophthalmology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, South Korea.

Methods

This prospective study comprised 71 eyes of 71 patients who had phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The IOP changes preoperatively and 1 day and 1, 3, and 5 weeks postoperatively and ACD changes preoperatively and at 1 day and 3 and 5 weeks were analyzed by AL (AL1, 21.0 to <23.0 mm; AL2, 23.0 to <25.0 mm; AL3, 25.0 to <27.0 mm; AL4, ≥27.0 mm).

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative IOP according to AL. However, there was a statistically significant postoperative IOP decrease in the AL1 and AL2 groups and a statistically significant IOP increase in the AL3 and AL4 groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the preoperative ACD between AL groups and a statistically significant increase in ACD with increased AL from preoperatively to 1, 3, and 5 weeks postoperatively.

Conclusions

After uneventful phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation, the IOP and ACD changed significantly according to AL in the early postoperative period. The AL appeared to predict these changes.