Posters

Postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) check in uncomplicated phacoemulsification: is it necessary?

Poster Details

First Author: P. Lo UNITED KINGDOM

Co Author(s):    A. Searle   V. Bratley   D. Saunders`   R. Humphry           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine whether postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) check is required in routine uncomplicated phacoemulsification.

Setting:

Study was conducted in a district general hospital.

Methods:

Retrospective observational study to review patients who underwent routine uncomplicated phacoemulsification. Data collected were from routine postoperative follow-up in the Orthoptist-led clinic at two weeks. Pre and postoperative IOP were measured as the primary outcome. IOPs were obtained using the Goldmann applanation tonometer, the gold standard for IOP measurement.

Results:

Data on a total of 68 eyes were obtained. Mean age was 75.6 years old. Nine had a diagnosis of glaucoma and were on anti-glaucoma medication whilst two had a diagnosis of ocular hypertension. Preoperatively two eyes had IOP ≥21mmHg whilst 66 had IOP within range i.e. ≤21mmHg. Postoperatively one eye had IOP ≥21mmHg and the other 67 all had IOP within range. The rise in IOP of ≥21mmHg was due to the patient being a steroid responder. IOP returned to baseline when the course of steroid was stopped. Total mean IOP change for this cohort measured +0.62mmHg.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate that two weeks postoperative IOP in uncomplicated phacoemulsification is satisfactory. None of the patient's postoperative IOP required any further interventions. Therefore we suggest that postoperative IOP checks in these routine cases may not be necessary, thereby reducing burden and time-pressure of healthcare professionals running these clinics.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE