Corneal biomechanical properties and intraocular pressure changes after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation

Purpose

To evaluate corneal viscoelastic and intraocular pressure (IOP) changes measured by an ocular response analyzer (ORA) after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Setting

Yeditepe University Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul, Turkey.

Methods

Fifty-one eyes scheduled for cataract surgery were included in the study. Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc), and Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) were measured by ORA preoperatively and 1 week and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured using the ORA's integrated handheld ultrasonic pachymeter.

Results

The mean preoperative CCT (537 μm ± 46 [SD]) did not change significantly by the end of 1 month postoperatively. The mean preoperative IOPcc (17.2 ± 3.0 mm Hg) decreased significantly by 3 months postoperatively (15.2 ± 3.7 mm Hg) (P = .018). The mean CH decreased from 10.36 ± 1.48 mm Hg preoperatively to 9.64 ± 1.26 mm Hg at 1 week (P = .028); it increased to preoperative values at the end of 1 month (10.20 ± 1.70) and 3 months (10.74 ± 1.54) (P>.05). The mean CRF decreased from 10.94 ± 2.54 mm Hg preoperatively to 9.99 ± 1.77 at 1 week (P = .026); it increased to preoperative values at 1 month (10.26 ± 1.59) and 3 months (10.35 ± 1.46) (P>.05).

Conclusions

Although CH and the CRF decreased in the early postoperative period, the parameters increased and reached preoperative values by 3 months postoperatively, showing that corneal biomechanical properties are influenced by phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.